Former New York City Mayor and ex-Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani received an unexpected surprise at his 80th birthday party in Palm Beach, Florida, when he was served with indictment papers. The indictment, related to a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona, was announced by Arizona's Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes on Friday.
The indictment service came just hours after Giuliani taunted Arizona authorities on social media. In a now-deleted post on X, Giuliani mockingly challenged Arizona authorities, stating, "If Arizona authorities can't find me by tomorrow morning; 1. They must dismiss the indictment; 2. They must concede they can't count votes." The post was accompanied by a photo of Giuliani smiling with six others, balloons floating in the background. The post was meant to showcase his confidence and disdain for the charges against him.
However, Attorney General Mayes swiftly responded to Giuliani's bravado. Just an hour and fourteen minutes after his taunt, Mayes announced on X, "The final defendant was served moments ago. @RudyGiuliani, nobody is above the law." The indictment papers were delivered to Giuliani during his birthday celebration, which was hosted by Caroline Wren, an advisor to Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake.
Despite the timing, Giuliani appeared unfazed. Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani, told NBC News, "The mayor was unphased by the decision to try and embarrass him during his 80th birthday party. He enjoyed an incredible evening with hundreds of people who love him-from all walks of life-and we look forward to full vindication soon."
The indictment of Giuliani is part of a broader legal effort to address the "fake electors" scheme intended to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona, one of the battleground states that President Biden won. Earlier on Friday, former Trump attorney John Eastman pleaded not guilty to charges related to the same conspiracy. Additionally, eleven other defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.
This isn't Giuliani's first brush with legal trouble stemming from his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. In December 2023, he was handed a $148 million verdict for defaming two Georgia election workers, further complicating his legal woes.
The Arizona indictment marks the fourth state to charge electors with falsely casting votes for Trump, following similar actions in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The charges underscore the extensive efforts by Trump allies to overturn the election results through dubious and potentially illegal means.
Giuliani's indictment underscores the seriousness with which the Arizona Attorney General's office is approaching the alleged conspiracy. "Nobody is above the law," Mayes emphasized in her social media post, reiterating the commitment to holding those accountable who sought to undermine the democratic process.
