Former President Trump’s legal team is seeking to have Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis removed from his Georgia election interference case. In a recent court filing, Trump’s attorneys argue that Willis, who is Black, has demonstrated “racial animus” towards the former president, thus compromising her ability to fairly prosecute the case.
Earlier this year, Trump’s legal team attempted to disqualify Willis on the grounds of alleged misconduct linked to her past romantic involvement with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. This initial motion was unsuccessful.
Trump’s attorneys accuse Willis of using racial issues to distract from her conduct in the case
Now, in a renewed appeal, Trump’s team contends that Willis’s purported racial biases disqualify her from handling the high-profile case. They accuse her of using racial issues to undermine Trump’s defense and divert public focus from her own conduct.
In their latest filing, Trump’s attorneys criticized Willis for allegedly integrating racial issues into the case, a charge they claim undermines the justice process. They refer to her public comments, including those made at an awards banquet in March, where she reportedly dismissed objections about race and declared her intention to continue discussing racial issues.
Judge Scott McAfee had previously instructed Willis to avoid introducing race into the proceedings and to moderate her public statements. This directive came after Willis made controversial comments at an event celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and responded to critiques of Wade’s involvement. McAfee had noted that while Willis’s comments were legally improper, they did not rise to the level of prejudice that would prevent a fair trial.
Trump, along with eight co-defendants, faces accusations of attempting to illegally overturn his narrow 2020 election loss in Georgia. Trump has pleaded not guilty. The case has been marred by delays and public disputes, particularly concerning Willis’s and Wade’s past relationship. Eventually, the court ruled that Willis could continue overseeing the case, provided that Wade stepped down from his role.
