Judge Considers Disqualifying Fulton County District Attorney in Georgia Election Subversion Case Against Trump
A crucial hearing is currently underway in Georgia that could potentially derail the election subversion case against former President Donald Trump and others. The hearing is centered around whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified from the case. Trump and his co-defendants have alleged that Willis and the special prosecutor she hired, Nathan Wade, engaged in an improper romantic relationship that financially benefited the district attorney.
The two-day evidentiary hearing holds significant importance for the Georgia RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) case. If Willis is successfully disqualified, there are concerns within the DA’s office that it could completely derail the entire case. As of now, there is no trial date set for the sprawling racketeering case. Willis and her team are aware that time is running out to go to trial before the 2024 election.
A potential delay in the case could mean that Trump might avoid facing trial for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election or his connections to the US Capitol attack until after the upcoming election. Trump’s federal trial is already delayed due to a request for Supreme Court intervention. The political and legal challenges surrounding the case make it uncertain if another prosecutor in Georgia would be willing to take it up.
Willis and Wade have acknowledged their personal relationship but deny any wrongdoing. Willis has argued that there is no basis for her disqualification or for the dismissal of the case. However, during a previous hearing, Judge Scott McAfee called for the evidentiary hearing to establish the record on the allegations against Willis and Wade and their relationship.
The outcome of this challenge against Willis will determine the future of the case. If she survives, the DA’s office believes it will have an opportunity to hit the reset button and focus on preparing for trial, which they hope to begin in August. Both Willis and Wade are expected to testify, along with other individuals such as DA attorneys and members of Willis’s personal security team.
The allegations against Wade and Willis were first raised by former Trump campaign official Mike Roman, who accused Willis of financially benefiting from selecting Wade as the special prosecutor. Credit card statements revealed that Wade paid for Willis’s trips to San Francisco and Miami. Trump and the 14 remaining co-defendants were indicted by Willis last summer, and they have all pleaded not guilty.
During the hearing, Ashleigh Merchant, Roman’s attorney, plans to call Wade as the first witness. The focus will be on proving the personal and financial benefits that Willis received from Wade. Merchant aims to establish a money trail and a history of lies. Nearly a dozen individuals have been subpoenaed to testify, including DA employees and Willis herself. McAfee has allowed Merchant to question Terrence Bradley, Wade’s former law partner, who is expected to refute the claim that Willis and Wade’s relationship began after he was appointed to lead the case against Trump.
If the motions to disqualify Willis are granted, the case would be automatically reassigned to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia. The council’s executive director, Peter Skandalakis, would then appoint a new district attorney or a private lawyer to oversee the case. Skandalakis emphasizes the need for someone with the resources and experience to handle this high-profile case.
While Willis has no plans to voluntarily recuse herself, there are uncertainties regarding Wade’s future involvement. Some legal experts believe that he should step aside, even if the allegations against him and Willis do not meet the legal threshold for disqualification. However, Wade’s immediate plans remain unclear.
The outcome of this hearing will have far-reaching implications for the Georgia RICO case. The decision on whether Willis should be disqualified will determine whether the case proceeds as planned or faces potential delays and challenges. The eyes of the nation are on this pivotal moment in the legal battle against Trump and his allies.
