A federal judge has ruled that Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will have to testify before a special grand jury that is looking into whether former President Donald Trump and others violated any laws during Trump's efforts to reverse the state's outcome in the 2020 presidential election.

The Republican senator from South Carolina had fought a subpoena from Fulton County prosecutors, with his attorneys claiming that as a senator he has immunity regarding being questioned over legislative acts.

In a Monday ruling, U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May said there are "considerable areas of potential grand jury inquiry" that fall outside that protection, and that senators do not enjoy sovereign immunity from being called by state prosecutors.

The grand jury first started hearing witnesses in June, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Graham is one of seven associates or advisers of Trump Fultcon County District Attorney Fani Willis has been trying to compel to testify.