Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is reportedly seeking to begin the Georgia trial of former President Donald Trump before voters head to the polls in November.
After Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee determined that Willis could stay on the Trump case so long as she parted ways with her former lover and special prosecutor Nathan Wade, CNN reported that multiple sources close to the district attorney claim she intends to take the former president’s case to trial soon as possible.
The outlet reported that multiple sources “close to Willis” admitted the disqualification proceedings, sparked over the revelation Willis was dating Wade and allegations their relationship started in 2019, were a “major distraction” that was “brought on by her own actions.”
Both Willis and Wade swore in court documents and separately testified that their relationship began in early 2022, rebutting claims by defendants that Willis had a financial incentive to hire Wade to oversee the Trump case.
The allegations of financial impropriety against Willis and Wade were underscored by credit card statements which revealed Wade paid for luxurious vacations the couple shared using his company credit card. Willis later claimed she reimbursed Wade in unreported cash transactions or by paying for incidental expenses and excursions during their travels.
One Willis ally reportedly described the disqualification proceedings as a “two-month sideshow” that ended when McAfee “finally came to the right decision.” The sources told CNN that Willis “is effectively ready to go to trial,” and would only need 30 days to make final preparations.
Willis previously stated that she wanted the trial to begin in August. She also suggested it would last months, with Trump’s testimony likely coming close to the November elections.
However, former Dekalb County District Attorney Robert James told the outlet that Willis’ relationship with Wade and the following disqualification proceedings may exacerbate existing difficulties in jury selection.
“There was definitely damage done,” James told CNN. “Ultimately some of the prospective jurors that watched those hearings have formed negative opinions of the DA and this case.” He explained, “It was always going to be difficult to get a fair and impartial jury. The hearing on the motion to disqualify just made it more difficult.”
Willis could still be removed from the case by an appellate court after McAfee allowed multiple defendants in the Trump case to appeal his decision to allow Willis to remain on the case so long as Wade resigned. Their appeal must now be accepted by an appellate court before Willis’ disqualification can be reheard.
In his decision to allow the appeal, McAfee wrote that he would not pause other developments in the case, even if the appeal is granted on an expedited basis.
The district attorney reportedly similarly eager to move forward, with CNN reporting her office informed defense attorneys to anticipate their response to the eventual Supreme Court ruling regarding Trump’s immunity defense in the federal case against him brought by special prosecutor Jack Smith.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Fani Willis” by Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
