Headline Roundup • March 15th, 2024
Wade Resigns From Trump's Georgia Case After Judge Gives Willis an Ultimatum
Summary from the AllSides News Team
On Friday, the judge in former President Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case said District Attorney Fani Willis could remain on the case if her prosecutor Nathan Wade is removed. Wade withdrew a few hours later.
The Details: The ruling from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said the romantic relationship between Willis and Wade created "a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team." He said the case can't proceed until either Willis and her office leave the case, or just Wade, who is heading the case.
Key Quotes: "After consideration of the record established on these motions, the Court finds the allegations and evidence legally insufficient to support a finding of an actual conflict of interest. However, the appearance of impropriety remains and must be handled as previously outlined before the prosecution can proceed," the ruling reads. In his resignation letter, Wade said he was doing so "in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public and to move this case forward as quickly as possible."
How the Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum covered the news as their top story on Friday. "The choice is likely to be an easy one," said NBC News (Lean Left bias) shortly after the judge's decision. "If Willis were to remove herself, the case would come to a halt, but having Wade leave will ensure the case continues without further delay." Updated 3/15/24 at 4:02 pm ET
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A Georgia judge has ruled that embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must either step aside from the case against former President Donald Trump or fire special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issued the ruling after hearing evidence presented by lawyers for the co-defendants in the sweeping 2020 election interference case. Four co-defendants accused Willis of having an "improper" affair with Nathan Wade, whom she hired to help prosecute the case.
The co-defendants alleged that Willis benefited financially by hiring Wade because they were in a...
A Georgia judge ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) or the prosecutor she had a romantic relationship with must step aside before the office can continue its election interference case against former President Trump and his allies.
Judge Scott McAfee ruled on Friday that Willis’s once-romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade constituted an appearance of conflict of interest in the racketeering case and barred the prosecutors from continuing to oversee it unless either Willis or Wade leaves the case.
“[T]he established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of...
Judge Scott McAfee has ruled in Georgia that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office can continue prosecuting Donald Trump and his co-defendants, but only if special prosecutor Nathan Wade steps down.
In his Friday ruling, McAfee wrote that the defense had failed to meet its burden proving that Willis "acquired an actual conflict of interest in this case through her personal relationship and recurring travels with her lead prosecutor."
But the judge went on to write that the record in the case highlighted "a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the...
