ATLANTA — Fulton County prosecutors are asking a Georgia appellate court to dismiss former President Donald Trump's appeal in the election interference case.
His appeal challenges a state court ruling that allows District Attorney Fani Willis to stay on the case.
Prosecutors say the appeal should be dismissed because of a lack of sufficient evidence.
Back in March, a superior court judge allowed Willis to continue prosecuting after a motion to disqualify her.
Trump and his co-defendants have been arguing that Willis had a conflict of interest that should disqualify her. They cited Willis's relationship with Nathan Wade, the former special prosecutor for the case.
How did we get here?
The effort to remove Willis started when an attorney representing one of the defendants in the case filed a motion asking Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to disqualify Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The pair were accused of improperly financially benefitting from a romantic relationship.
Although the judge admonished Willis about the relationship, he ultimately ruled there was not enough evidence to prove the pair benefitted. In the end, McAfee offered Willis two choices: either she could step aside, along with her office, and refer the case to the Prosecuting Attorney's Council for reassignment, or Wade could withdraw. Within the same day of the ruling, Wade resigned, but efforts to remove Willis remain ongoing.
Since McAfee's ruling, several defendants have signed on to appeal his decision. Willis has also filed her own notice of a cross-appeal. The Court of Appeals could take months to rule on the matters.
In general, Trump and 18 alleged co-conspirators were initially charged in a 41-count indictment unveiled this past August. Four defendants have since entered guilty pleas. All others, including the former president, maintain their innocence. Trump faces 13 counts in Fulton County, including violating Georgia's RICO statute.
