Prosecutor Steps Down From Trump's Georgia Case After Judge's Ultimatum

LOADING ERROR LOADING UPDATE: — Following a judge’s ultimatum, prosecutor Nathan Wade has resigned from the Georgia election interference case, according to legal filings. “Although the court found that ‘the defendants failed to meet their burden of proving that the District Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest,’ I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and move this case forward as quickly as possible,” Wade wrote to the court. “Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, and being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honor of a lifetime.” Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who had admitted to a personal relationship with Wade, immediately accepted his resignation, calling him an “outstanding advocate” and commending him for agreeing to work on such a high-profile case. More importantly, McAfee ruled that “the evidence demonstrated that the financial gain flowing from her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor on the part of the District Attorney to indict and prosecute this case.” Over a span of weeks, McAfee heard details of Willis’ romantic relationship with Wade, whom she had hired as a special prosecutor to help with the Trump case. In his decision, McAfee stated that this reimbursement policy may be “unusual” and the lack of documentation “understandably concerning,” but it was ultimately “corroborated by other evidence” and “not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable.” While McAfee rejected the notion that Willis and Wade’s relationship created an actual conflict of interest that necessitated her office’s dismissal from the case, he did find that “the District Attorney’s prosecution is encumbered by an appearance of impropriety.” If the case proceeded without any change, McAfee said, the “concerns raised by the Defendants would persist.” While the court did not find testimony contradicting Wade and Willis believable, “an odor of mendacity remains.” For that reason, either Willis or Wade must remove themselves from the case, McAfee ruled.