In a significant development, Georgia’s Court of Appeals has ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis cannot continue prosecuting the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and 14 co-defendants.
This 2-1 decision halts Willis’s efforts in a historic racketeering case that emerged from a grand jury’s charges unveiled in August 2023.
The ruling, which does not dismiss the charges against Trump and his allies, leaves the future of the case uncertain. For it to proceed, Willis would need to successfully appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court or have another prosecutor appointed. The case has faced numerous delays since May, particularly following Trump’s recent election victory, which raises questions about presidential immunity in ongoing legal challenges.
The appellate court’s decision overturns a March ruling by Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who allowed Willis to remain on the case despite concerns over her prior romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The appellate panel emphasized that the state did not cross-appeal to challenge the finding of impropriety, focusing instead on whether the trial court’s remedy was appropriate.
A grand jury indicted Trump and his associates for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results. Meanwhile, Willis, a Democrat, secured a second four-year term as Georgia’s top prosecutor in the recent general election.
