A Georgia appeals court ruled on Thursday to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case against President-elect Donald Trump and other individuals accused of interfering in the 2020 Georgia election. However, the court did not dismiss the case, leaving its future uncertain.
The court cited concerns about “perceptions of inappropriate behavior” by Willis in its decision. A three-judge panel voted 2-1, stating that in this rare instance, disqualification was necessary, as no other measures would restore public trust in the integrity of the proceedings.
The case against Trump and over ten other defendants has been stalled for months. With this ruling, it is now up to the Georgia State Bar’s Prosecuting Council to appoint a new prosecutor and determine whether the case will continue. However, the process may be delayed if Willis decides to appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court, and if the court agrees to review the matter.
In March, the presiding judge had allowed Willis to continue handling the case. This recent legal victory marks a significant development for Trump as he prepares to return to power for a second term. Just a year ago, criminal cases against him seemed poised to derail his political career, but now they appear to be shifting in his favor.
Trump welcomed the ruling, telling Fox News Digital, “This case should not be allowed to continue.” He added, “Everyone involved should apologize, including those wonderful patriots who have suffered the consequences for years.”
The ruling follows weeks after Special Counsel Jack Smith closed two federal criminal cases against Trump, and the sentencing in another case involving hush money payments was delayed following Trump’s November win.
However, the implications of the Georgia case could be minimal, as it is nearly impossible to pursue a criminal case against a sitting president, regardless of the prosecutor. Still, the 14 other defendants in the case continue to face charges.
Willis and Trump’s attorney in Georgia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.
In the majority opinion of the appeals court, written by Judge Trenton Brown and joined by Judge Todd Markle, it was noted that “the court’s response to prevent the perception of irregularities did nothing to avoid the consequences of inappropriate behavior that existed when Prosecutor Willis used her broad powers to decide whom to prosecute and what charges to file.”
In a dissenting opinion, Judge Benjamin Land stated that “the law does not support the conclusion reached by the majority.” He argued that the appeals court should respect the broad powers of the judge handling the case.
The case stems from a grand jury indictment in August 2023, accusing Trump and 18 others of participating in a widespread scheme to unlawfully overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, where Trump lost to President Joe Biden.
Four of the defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching plea deals with prosecutors, while Trump and others have pleaded not guilty. Trump and several remaining defendants attempted to have Willis removed from the case, arguing that her romantic relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade created a conflict of interest.
Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March that there was no conflict of interest requiring Willis to withdraw from the case. Trump and the others appealed his decision.
Trump’s legal team had argued that Willis’ comments regarding the case, particularly after the relationship with Wade was revealed, were inappropriate and prejudicial to the defendants and their legal teams, potentially influencing a future jury.
