Former President Donald Trump has reiterated his plea to the Fulton County judge overseeing the Georgia election case, urging the dismissal of his indictment and the disqualification of District Attorney Fani Willis. Trump’s legal response, filed in Fulton County Superior Court by attorneys Steve Sadow and Jennifer Little, addresses recent statements by Willis, asserting that her speech at an Atlanta church was not targeted at Trump or co-defendants but was racially motivated to prejudice the case.
Trump’s attorneys align with co-defendant Michael Roman’s bid to dismiss Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Roman had previously filed a motion alleging a “clandestine” and “improper” relationship between Willis and Wade, benefiting from the prosecution at taxpayers’ expense.
In a recent court filing, Willis admitted to a “personal relationship” with Wade but denied financial benefits or rule violations. She claimed no conflict of interest justifying disqualification for herself or the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
Trump’s legal team challenges Willis’s assertion that her church remarks weren’t related to the case, deeming it “preposterous and disingenuous.” They argue that her comments, made during a speech at Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, were intended to inject “race, religion, and politics” and incite racial animus. Trump’s lawyers contend that Willis questioned the defendants’ conduct in hiring a black man, playing the race card and potentially turning jurors against the defendants improperly.
The legal filing in January raised concerns that Willis’s comments could bias potential jurors against the defendants, who face charges of racketeering and attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The defendants, including Trump, have pleaded not guilty, with Trump claiming the charges are politically motivated to interfere with the 2024 election.
Several co-defendants, such as Sidney Powell and Jenna Ellis, have pleaded guilty as part of deals with prosecutors. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Merchant, Roman’s attorney, has indicated plans to issue subpoenas, citing evidence, documents, and witnesses supporting Roman’s allegations against Wade and Willis. While the motion lacked substantial evidence, neither Wade nor Willis publicly denied their alleged relationship.
The controversy has triggered investigations by entities such as the House Judiciary Committee, the Georgia Senate, Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, and Fulton County Commissioner Bob Ellis. The House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to Willis, seeking documents related to the alleged misuse of federal funds in the Trump investigation.
The legal tussle continues, with Trump and his co-defendants navigating a complex landscape of allegations, legal maneuvers, and investigations, all against the backdrop of claims of political motivations.
