A court might hear arguments before the election on Fani Willis’ role in Trump’s Georgia case
Associated PressMay 21
Georgia Trump Case: Willis Hearing Scheduled for October
Above: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on March 1, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. Image copyright: Alex Slitz/Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Fulton County (Ga.) District Attorney Fani Willis, who is prosecuting her state's criminal case against former Pres. Donald Trump, is tentatively scheduled to have a hearing Oct. 4 about her possible disqualification from the case.
A three-judge panel of the Georgia Court of Appeals will hear Trump's appeal, which requests Willis' removal over her allegedly financially benefiting from hiring prosecutor Nathan Wade. The appeal alleges Willis and Wade's romantic relationship caused a conflict of interest.
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
This is a major setback for the Georgia-based portion of the Democrats' attempts to interfere in the upcoming election. Democrats know lawfare is the only way to stop Trump's return to the White House. However, the appeal of McAfee's disgraceful decision to leave Willis on this case will now be heard late enough that Democrats' plans for a pre-Election Day trial are squashed.
Anti-Trump narrative
This may appear to be a victory for Trump, however, even he must know that if he wins the presidency, he'll be able to dismiss the federal criminal charges against him in other cases — but not the Georgia case. He could be put on trial during his second term, creating the type of constitutional crisis he warned about years ago when he suggested Hilary Clinton shouldn't be allowed to run for president.