Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in Georgia is seeking to reinstate three previously dismissed criminal charges against former President Donald Trump related to election subversion. Last year, Willis indicted Trump on 13 felony charges, but six charges were thrown out by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee due to a lack of detail concerning an essential legal element. Willis has filed a notice of cross-appeal to McAfee’s ruling, allowing her to appeal this decision based on Georgia law that permits prosecutors to file appeals if a defendant has appealed first. The appeals court is already considering an appeal by Trump’s legal team regarding Willis staying on the case after her past romantic relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade was revealed.
The dismissed charges that could potentially be reinstated involve allegations that Trump and his co-defendants tried to convince public officials to violate their oaths of office by illegally overturning Trump’s 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. One of the charges stems from a January 2021 phone call where Trump urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to help him “find” enough votes to change the election outcome. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges in Georgia and elsewhere, claiming he is a victim of political persecution and election interference as he prepares for a potential rematch with Biden in November. Fourteen of Trump’s co-defendants have also pleaded not guilty, while four have pleaded guilty after making agreements with prosecutors.
In addition to the appeal in Georgia, Trump’s legal team has faced challenges in New York, where his hush money criminal trial is nearing its conclusion. The state appeals court rejected two attempts by Trump’s lawyers to change the trial’s venue and have New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan recused from overseeing the case. The trial is expected to conclude with closing arguments soon, followed by a potential verdict. Trump’s attorneys have criticized the proceedings in both Georgia and New York, arguing that Willis should be disqualified in Georgia for alleged misconduct and political persecution.
The legal battles facing Trump in both Georgia and New York come as he continues to campaign and prepare for a potential rematch with President Joe Biden in the upcoming election. While facing multiple criminal charges in both states, Trump maintains his innocence and alleges that he is being unfairly targeted for political reasons. The appeals process in both cases is ongoing, with Willis in Georgia and Merchan in New York facing scrutiny from Trump’s legal team. The outcome of these legal battles could have significant implications for Trump’s future political aspirations and any potential legal consequences he may face as a result of the charges against him.
