Trump election case in Georgia put on hold until outcome of appeal against Fani Willis

The Georgia Court of Appeals temporarily halted the 2020 election racketeering case involving former President Donald Trump and 14 others on Wednesday. This pause will remain until the appeal seeking the disqualification of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is resolved.

The court issued the ruling in the late afternoon without providing further details, effectively putting the election subversion case on hold until the appellate court reviews the evidence and makes a decision. The appeal is scheduled for October 4th, indicating that the case is unlikely to proceed before the November 5th election.

Trump and eight co-defendants are challenging a ruling by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who decided in March that Willis could continue to oversee the case despite allegations of misconduct and financial conflicts of interest. McAfee allowed some trial preparations to proceed while the case is under appeal.

Nineteen individuals were charged with attempting to illegally influence the outcome of the 2020 election in Georgia following Trump’s loss to President Joe Biden. Trump and the remaining defendants maintain their innocence, while four others have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with authorities.

The defendants sought to have Willis and her entire office disqualified from the case, citing her alleged improper relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor hired by Willis. Michael Roman, a co-defendant, filed the initial motion in January, questioning Willis and Wade’s relationship and their shared travels funded by Wade’s compensation as lead prosecutor.

While initially denying any wrongdoing, Willis and Wade later acknowledged their relationship, stating that it began after Wade was hired in 2021. In his ruling, McAfee criticized Willis for her “tremendous lapse in judgment” and stipulated that she could only continue on the case if Wade withdrew, which he did on the same day. Trump and other defendants then sought an appeal, arguing that McAfee’s ruling was insufficient and that Willis should also step down.

Trump’s lawyer, Steven Sadow, welcomed the decision, stating that the Georgia Court of Appeals had appropriately halted proceedings pending the outcome of their appeal, which seeks dismissal of the case and disqualification of DA Willis due to misconduct.

A spokesperson for Willis’ office declined to comment on the appellate court’s order at this time.