Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been removed from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others following a ruling by a state appeals court on Thursday.
The Georgia Court of Appeals cited an “appearance of impropriety” stemming from Willis’ romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she hired to lead the case. While the court acknowledged that such impropriety might not usually warrant disqualification, it deemed this situation exceptional, stating, “This is the rare case in which disqualification is mandated to restore public confidence.”
Willis, who plans to appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court, had already faced scrutiny after a defendant alleged she improperly benefited from her relationship with Wade. Testimony revealed that their romance began in 2022, months after Wade’s 2021 hiring, and ended in 2023. Defense lawyers argued that the relationship compromised the integrity of Willis’ pretrial decisions.
The appeals court decision overturns a trial court ruling by Judge Scott McAfee, who found no actual conflict of interest but acknowledged the case was “encumbered by an appearance of impropriety.” The ruling also sets the stage for the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia to appoint a new prosecutor, though it remains unclear who will take on the sprawling case.
The indictment, issued in August 2023, accused Trump and 18 others of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia. Allegations include Trump’s infamous call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other efforts tied to the state’s anti-racketeering law.
The case has been further complicated by broader developments. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith recently dropped two federal prosecutions against Trump, and a New York hush money sentencing has been indefinitely delayed. Trump’s legal team has hailed the disqualification as a victory, with attorney Steve Sadow calling it a “well-reasoned and just” decision that ends a “politically motivated persecution.”
Willis’ office has yet to comment publicly on the ruling, while Trump has reiterated his belief that the case should be dismissed entirely. “Everybody should receive an apology, including those wonderful patriots caught up in this for years,” the president-elect said.
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