Georgia Judge Rules Willis Can Stay On Trump Case
Fulton County, Georgia Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled Friday morning that District Attorney Fani Willis will be permitted to continue her role in the ongoing case against President Donald Trump concerning alleged interference in the 2020 election. McAfee’s written order provides that Willis or her secret lover, special prosecutor Nathan Wade, may remain in the case, but not both.
The case has been mired in controversy, particularly surrounding the relationship between Willis and Wade. Their romantic involvement, alongside allegations of financial benefits derived from the arrangement, casts a shadow over the integrity of the entire politicized prosecution of Trump as he runs for another term in the White House.
The order came in response to a motion to disqualify both Willis and Wade and to dismiss the entire case filed by one of the co-defendants. During several days of testimony and arguments last month, the evidence centered on whether Wade was actively engaged in a romantic relationship with Wade when she personally hired him to lead the Trump case at taxpayer expense.
Robin Yeartie, a former “good friend” and past employee of Willis, testified that she had “no doubt” that Willis and Wade’s relationship started in 2019. She swore under oath that she saw the two “hugging” and “kissing” and showing “affection” years before Willis decided to hire Wade.
Despite finding the existence of an appearance of impropriety, McAfee found the evidence insufficient to prove an actual conflict of interest.
McAfee said he found the “allegations and evidence legally insufficient to support a finding of an actual conflict of interest.” Nevertheless, he added: “Even if the romantic relationship began after SADA Wade’s initial contract in November 2021, the District Attorney chose to continue supervising and paying Wade while maintaining such a relationship. She further allowed the regular and loose exchange of money between them without any exact or verifiable measure of reconciliation.”
Adding to the scrutiny of Willis’ misconduct, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) has threatened contempt proceedings against her over a subpoena concerning the use of federal funds. That dispute revolves around allegations of misused federal grant money, leading to demands for a thorough examination of Willis’s office’s financial conduct.
Jordan wrote to Willis this week: “We appreciate that you have produced a narrow set of documents in response to the subpoena, but your compliance with the subpoena to date is deficient. If you fail to do so, the Committee will consider taking further action, such as the invocation of contempt of Congress proceedings.”
The involvement of federal funds, the backdrop of a high-stakes election interference case, and the personal controversies surrounding Willis have merged into a storm of criticism. It becomes more apparent daily that the criminal complaints against Trump and 18 co-defendants are not only baseless but are driven by political motivations.
