A Georgia Appeals Court has disqualified District Attorney Fani Willis from the election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump and codefendants.
District Attorney Willis’ disqualification presents a reversal of a lower trial court’s finding that Willis need not be disqualified from the case.
"After carefully considering the trial court's findings in its order, we conclude that it erred by failing to disqualify Willis and her office," wrote the appeals court.
The court’s disqualification of Willis is the latest development in a legal saga that has featured improper romantic relationships and alleged White House meddling.
Last March, Willis acknowledged her “personal relationship” with Prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she hired to lead her prosecution of President Trump.
Willis hired Wade in November 2021 despite his reportedly scant prosecutorial experience.
Wade was appointed by Willis to lead her team of lawyers in bringing an election interference case against President Trump in Georgia.
After Willis' acknowledgment of her personal relationship with Wade, Various Trump co-defendants had requested both be removed from the case against them.
Several hearings were subsequently held to determine whether a conflict of interest exists between Willis and Wade.
The ordeal concluded in a judge ordering Wade or Willis must recuse themselves from the case, which Wade eventually did.
Trump allies have celebrated Willis’ disqualification.
Trump lawyer Alina Habba characterized the disqualification as “a huge win for justice.”
“Law-fare is nothing more than corruption in disguise, and today, it crumbled,” continued Habba. “Fairness and the rule of law will always prevail. Good riddance.”
Willis is expected to appeal her disqualification to the Georgia state supreme court.
It is unclear whether the supreme court will consider Willis’ appeal.
Eight of the court’s nine judges were selected by Republican governors.
