The ongoing saga of former President Donald Trump's entanglements with the law hit another bump in Georgia as the state's appeals court gears up to weigh on a pivotal decision in an election interference case that's been dogging the one-time commander in chief. Trump, who's been trying to fend off a series of legal challenges, appealed a ruling letting Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis stay on his case, leading to this latest judicial scuffle, according to WABE.
Trump's legal team is squaring off against Willis's office over her involvement in the case, after allegations swirled about a conflict of interest due to her past romantic connection with a special prosecutor, Nathan Wade who did resign after Fulton Judge Scott McAfee gave an ultimatum this spring that allowed Willis to continue if Wade stepped down. Arguments will be heard by the appeals court within six months, forcing a timeline that pushes any potential trial well beyond the horizon of this year's November elections.
In a move that's causing a stir, the appeals court's call to review Judge McAfee's decision could mean dragging out the case past election day, with Atlanta attorney and former Democratic AG candidate Jen Jordan noting to WABE, "This is one of the most significant cases in the history of this country and definitely in this state," echoing the sentiment that justice must be meticulously served, not rushed. Trump's attorney, Steve Sadow, commented that Trump is eager to present arguments that will dismantle the case against him as a politically driven witch hunt.
As Georgia maneuvers through its legal labyrinth, Trump is also juggling federal cases that include accusations of election meddling and mishandling classified documents; both have suffered delays, with Florida federal judge, a Trump appointee, halting the classified documents case indefinitely. The ex-president's battle on the federal front remains in limbo while the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over his claims of presidential immunity after hearing arguments just over a month ago and his New York hush money trial looms as possibly his only courtroom confrontation before he attempts a political comeback this fall.
