Georgia judge allows Trump, co-defendants to appeal Fani Willis disqualification decision

A Georgia judge presiding over the 2020 election interference case against former President Trump announced Wednesday that Trump and his co-defendants can appeal the order that denied the disqualification of embattled DA Fani Wills.

Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee on Wednesday issued a certificate of immediate review, allowing Trump and eight co-defendants to seek an appeal of the order.

The defense now has 10 days to submit an application to the Georgia Court of Appeals, which will have 45 days to decide whether they will hear the case from March 15, when the order was issued. Under Georgia law, the Georgia Court of Appeals is not required to hear the case.

"Upon review of the Defendants’ joint motion for a Certificate of Immediate Review, the Court finds that the Order on the Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss and Disqualify the Fulton County District Attorney issued March 15, 2024, ‘is of such importance to the case that immediate review should be had,'" McAfee said.

Steve Sadow, lead counsel for the former president, said in a statement Wednesday that the judge's decision is "highly significant."

"The defense is optimistic that appellate review will lead to the case being dismissed and the DA being disqualified," Sadow said.

Judge McAfee also said that while the defense pushes to have Willis disqualified, he will continue to address other pre-trial motions in the case.

Willis was accused of having an "improper" affair with Nathan Wade, a special counsel whom she hired to help prosecute the case. Trump and several co-defendants said Willis was romantically linked with Wade prior to his hiring and alleged that she was financially benefiting from the position he held in her office.... (Read more)

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