Georgia election official warns Trump’s claims could lead to violence: ‘You never know what’s going to happen’

Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling on Sunday warned of the possibility that former President Trump’s threatening words could lead to lone acts of violence, ahead of a likely fourth indictment expected.

In an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Sterling said he does not expect to see any large-scale or organized violence, but he expressed his concern that the violent rhetoric could radicalize individuals who are “probably mentally unstable.” 

“Obviously, at this point, you never know what’s going to happen,” Sterling said when asked whether he’s concerned that Trump’s rhetoric could lead to violence. Sterling was also asked about an attack ad that Trump’s team is running labeling Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and others the “fraud squad.”

“My biggest concern for years now – I’ve said this at election conferences where you get professionals who run elections around this country – is somebody will be motivated by some of these kind of languages at some point and do something stupid,” Sterling continued. 

“It’s not going to mean organized things. It’s not going to be a bunch of conspirators together. It’s going to be one probably mentally unstable individual who’s going to be radicalized through this process and that’s my biggest concern through this,” he said. 

Willis is expected to bring an indictment against Trump this week related to his efforts to overturn the election results in the state of Georgia. Sterling, as chief operating officer in the office of the secretary of state, plays a key role in running elections in the state. He also has testified before the grand jury investigating the case.

Trump is facing three other criminal indictments with a fourth expected out of his efforts to overturn the election results in the state of Georgia. Sterling was with the secretary of state’s office following the 2020 election, in which he oversaw a recount. At the time, officials were receiving death threats while Trump continued to falsely claim that massive alleged fraud had occurred, resulting in his loss.

Sterling at the time pleaded with Trump to tone down his rhetoric. During a news conference during the recount, Sterling said: “Someone’s going to get hurt, someone’s going to get shot, someone’s going to get killed.”