Trump and co-defendants seek appeal of judge's order permitting Fani Willis to remain on case

Former President Donald Trump and a group of his co-defendants have asked Judge Scott McAfee to permit the appeal of his recent ruling permitting Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case if a special prosecutor she hired were to depart.

Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor in question, ultimately stepped down after McAfee's order last week. He and Willis have admitted to a romantic relationship, though they claim it began after Wade's hiring. Trump co-defendant Mike Roman initially brought allegations that Willis had financially benefitted from Wade's hiring via the relationship.

Specifically, Trump and seven of his co-defendants have asked McAfee to a certificate of immediate review to allow them to appeal his decision, The Hill reported.

Trump attorney Steve Sadow highlighted McAfee's own determinations that Willis and Wade had created an "odor of mendacity" in the case and the prospect that an outsider could conclude Willis was not free of conflict in the case.

"Despite this, the Court declined to disqualify District [Attorney] Willis, finding that eliminating only the Special Assistant District Attorney would cure the lingering appearance of impropriety," he wrote.

Willis indicted Trump and 18 co-defendants in August of last year on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges over his efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results in the Peach State. He has pleaded not guilty.

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