Trump appeals decision to keep Fani Willis on 2020 election case

Former President Donald Trump on Friday formally appealed Judge Scott McAfee's decision permitting Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on her case charging him over his 2020 election challenges.

McAfee granted Trump and several his co-defendants a certificate of review, permitting them to appeal his decision earlier this month. Trump and eight co-defendants on Friday asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to address the matter, The Hill reported.

Willis indicted Trump and 18 codefendants in August of last year, bringing charges under the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade subsequently came under scrutiny over an alleged conflict of interest due a romantic relationship. Both admitted to the relationship but claimed it began after Willis hired Wade. McAfee ultimately permitted Willis to remain on the case if Wade stepped down, which he did.

"While the trial court factually found DA Willis’s out-of-court statements were improper and Defendants proved an apparent conflict of interest, the trial court erred as a matter of law by not requiring dismissal and DA Willis’ disqualification," Trump and his codefendants asserted. "This legal error requires the Court’s immediate review."

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