Former Republican President Donald Trump’s landslide win on Tuesday resulting in another presidential term underscores a big question mark regarding his upcoming case in Georgia.
Trump was indicted by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on what prominent Democrat and Republican trial attorneys say are dubious counts accusing him of interfering with the 2020 presidential election. The case is based on Georgia’s complex anti-racketeering law designed to go after mobs and murderers. Two of the charges against Trump were dismissed two months ago. He vigorously pleaded not guilty to the rest.
The case against him is languishing on ice until the Georgia Court of Appeals hears a related case challenging Willis’ eligibility to prosecute. She’s accused of a conflict of interest stemming from a romantic relationship with her appointed special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Willis admitted to having Wade as a lover during a hearing earlier this year. That’s when Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee allowed Willis to remain on the case if Wade resigned. And he did.
Trump attorneys Steve Sadow and Jennifer Little are appealing McAfee’s decision, while seeking to remove her from the case, and an appeal hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m., according to the court’s calendar. However, a ruling is not expected until 2025. Trump’s inauguration will be on Jan. 20.
Willis’ election interference indictments involved charges against 18 others, including former Trump aide Mark Meadows and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Four of the defendants have pleaded guilty.
Democrat Willis retained her post after defeating Republican lawyer Courtney Kramer in Tuesday’s election in Georgia’s most populous, Democrat-dominated county.
