Trump Election Case Paused In Georgia In Prosecutor Challenge

A Georgia appeals court paused the criminal case accusing Donald Trump of seeking to subvert the 2020 election. The court will consider Trump’s bid to disqualify lead prosecutor Fani Willis, according to a court order on Wednesday.

This order stops the case against Trump and 14 co-defendants from moving toward trial while Trump appeals a judge’s ruling allowing Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, to remain on the case.

This delay suggests that the case, one of four facing Trump as he aims to unseat President Joe Biden and return to the White House, will not go to trial before the Nov. 5 election. Last week, a New York jury found Trump guilty of trying to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star, a verdict Trump has vowed to appeal. The two federal cases against him, for trying to overturn his defeat and mishandling classified documents after leaving office, have also encountered legal challenges.

In the Georgia case, Trump and eight co-defendants seek to disqualify Willis’ office, alleging that a romantic relationship with a former top deputy posed a conflict of interest. Prosecutors plan to appeal a prior ruling that dismissed some criminal counts in the indictment. Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee, overseeing the case, indicated he would address some pre-trial legal issues during the appeal, but Wednesday’s order prevents him from taking any action.

The appeal will likely take several months to resolve. The court scheduled oral argument for October earlier this week. Trump and the 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to racketeering and other charges stemming from what prosecutors allege was a scheme to overturn Trump’s narrow defeat in Georgia in the 2020 election.