Georgia judge tosses two criminal counts against Trump in Fani Willis case

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee on Thursday dismissed two counts against former President Donald Trump in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's election case.

Willis indicted Trump and 18 co-defendants in August of last year on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charges. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

McAfee specifically dropped charges related to the alleged filing of false documents in federal court, finding that prosecutors did not have the authority to bring them, Reuters reported.

While the dismissal of two counts marks a win for Trump, it was not a complete victory as McAfee permitted the case to proceed with the remaining charges.

The case, however, has been on ice amid Trump's appeal of McAfee's decision to permit Willis to remain on the case amid concerns over her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor whom she hired to pursue the case. McAfee ordered that either Wade or Willis step down, which Wade did the following day.

But Trump has sought to have Willis removed as well and a Georgia Appeals Court paused proceedings in June, pending oral arguments, which are set for December.