Updated Aug 25, 2023 - Politics & Policy

Trump's historic mug shot released in Georgia election case

Former President Trump's mug shot, taken in Fulton County Georgia. Photo: Fulton County Sheriff's Office

Inmate No. P01135809 — that's how Donald J. Trump of Palm Beach, Fla., is listed in the jail records of Fulton County, Ga., after Thursday night's 20-minute booking.

Why it matters: Trump has now made history as not only the first U.S. president — sitting or former — to face criminal charges, but the first to have their mug shot taken.

  • The Fulton County Sheriff's Office released the first-ever mug shot of former President Trump following his surrender to authorities in the Georgia election interference case.
  • Although it's Trump's fourth indictment, he has managed to dodge taking mug shots in the other cases.
  • But Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat warned ahead of the Georgia indictment that authorities there intended to follow regular procedures when it came time to book the former president.

Details: Trump described himself as 6 foot 3 inches, 215 pounds — 24 pounds less than the White House doctor reported in 2018.

  • He's listed as having blue eyes, and blond or strawberry hair.

Of note: Moments after his mug shot was taken Thursday, Trump posted the image to his Truth Social platform, along with a fund-raising link.

What he's saying: Trump told Newsmax in an interview aboard his private plane on the way back from his booking that it been a "terrible experience," but added that he was "treated very nicely."

  • He told Fox News Digital late Thursday that Georgia officials had "insisted on a mug shot and I agreed to do that," which he said was "not a comfortable feeling — especially when you've done nothing wrong."

The big picture: The notorious Fulton County jail where Trump's mug shot was taken has also now made history as the first institution to ever take a U.S. president's mug shot.

  • The detention center, known among locals as "Rice Street," has been criticized for its dangerous conditions and detainee deaths.
  • In July, the U.S. Justice Department announced an investigation into the jail following the death of Lashawn Thompson, who was found covered in "insects and filth."
  • An independent autopsy of Thompson ruled his death a homicide resulting from "severe neglect."

Zoom out: Trump faces a total of 13 counts related to alleged efforts to subvert Georgia's 2020 election results, including violating Georgia's racketeering law, or RICO.

Go deeper: Trump legal peril enters new phase

Editor's note: This article has been updated with details of Trump's online posts and comment from the former president.

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