Fani Willis’ Case Takes Devastating Blow With Georgia Court’s Ruling
Oral arguments for former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants’ appeal to disqualify prosecutor Fani Willis have been tentatively set for October 4. The scheduling suggests that Trump’s trial for alleged election interference in Georgia is unlikely to commence before the 2024 presidential election, according to details provided in a docket notice sent to defense counsel.
“A calendar will be sent to counsel of record confirming the exact date of oral argument,” a notice said. ABC News contributor and former Georgia prosecutor Chris Timmons weighed in on the October hearing, indicating that it virtually guarantees former President Donald Trump will not face trial before the 2024 election.
Last August, Trump, along with 18 co-defendants, pleaded not guilty to charges in the comprehensive racketeering indictment tied to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Trump has vehemently criticized the district attorney’s investigation, labeling it as politically driven. Last month, the appeals court decided to hear the appeal from former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants.
They are challenging a decision that permitted Willis to stay on the case, despite revelations of her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, another prosecutor involved. Wade resigned following the disclosure. Meanwhile, Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the case, has pledged to advance the proceedings even as the appeal is underway.
Last August, Trump and 18 others were implicated in a broad racketeering indictment, accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. The indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in a nationwide campaign to influence state leaders, harass and deceive a Georgia election worker, and propagate assertions that the election was stolen. Their purported goal was to keep Trump in office. Among the notable figures involved in the alleged conspiracy are Trump’s former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and attorney John Eastman.
The indictment charges that members of the alleged conspiracy falsely testified before the Georgia state legislature, claiming widespread election fraud and asserting that they had the authority to appoint their own electors.
“President Trump looks forward to presenting interlocutory arguments to the Georgia Court of Appeals as to why the case should be dismissed and Fulton County DA Willis should be disqualified for her misconduct in this unjustified, unwarranted political persecution,” said Trump attorney Steve Sadow in May.
Whistleblowers who spoke with the U.S. House Oversight Committee have claimed that Willis redirected funds intended for an anti-gang unit to continue supporting her Trump investigation, which paid Wade at last $700,000 for two years’ work. At the state level, a special committee has been convened to question other county officials about the hiring of Wade.
Wade, the lead prosecutor, resigned from his role in March. He resigned just hours after Judge Scott McAfee stopped short of disqualifying Willis. However, the judge ruled that either Willis or Wade needed to step down from the case due to a “significant appearance of impropriety” linked to their romantic relationship.
Following Wade’s resignation, Willis and her team were allowed to continue on the case, in accordance with the judge’s decision.
