Special prosecutor Nathan Wade steps down from Trump case after judge's ruling

Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor whom Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis hired to pursue her case against former President Donald Trump, officially resigned from the case on Friday after Judge Scott McAfee indicated that either he or Willis must do so.

Willis indicted Trump and 18 co-defendants in August of 2023 over his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results in Georgia,  bringing charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) Act. 

"I am sure that the case, and the team, will be in good hands moving forward and justice will be served," Wade said, according to NBC News.

Willis and Wade have admitted to a relationship, though they both insist it began after Willis hired him. Trump co-defendant Mike Roman first brought the issue to light, arguing that the pair had a conflict of interest.

McAfee, in his ruling, indicated that the "allegations and evidence [were] legally insufficient to support a finding of an actual conflict of interest" but did highlight the "appearance of impropriety."

"The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office, and refer the prosecution to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council for reassignment," he wrote. "Alternatively, SADA Wade can withdraw, allowing the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.