Georgia Election Case Against Trump Advances with New Prosecutor/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new prosecutor has been appointed to lead the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others after District Attorney Fani Willis was removed. Pete Skandalakis, head of Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council, will now handle the politically charged case. The move follows Willis’ disqualification due to a personal relationship with the case’s lead prosecutor.
Trump Georgia Case Moves Forward: Quick Looks
- New prosecutor Pete Skandalakis will lead Georgia’s Trump case
- Fani Willis removed due to appearance of impropriety
- Charges remain for 14 defendants, including Meadows and Giuliani
- Skandalakis can continue, revise, or drop the case
- Willis’ disqualification stemmed from romantic ties to special prosecutor
- Trump pardons don’t apply to state-level charges
- Case centers on alleged conspiracy to overturn 2020 Georgia results
- Trial judge criticized Willis but did not initially disqualify her
- Appeals court later removed her for public trust concerns
Georgia Election Case Against Trump Advances with New Prosecutor
Deep Look
The high-profile Georgia election interference case involving President Donald Trump is set to move forward under new leadership. On Friday, Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, announced that he will personally oversee the prosecution after the state Supreme Court upheld the disqualification of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The case had been stalled after questions arose about Willis’ professional conduct, specifically her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she appointed to lead the case. Defense attorneys argued that the relationship created a conflict of interest and compromised the integrity of the prosecution, claiming Willis personally benefited when Wade paid for trips and other expenses.
The controversy culminated in a dramatic February 2024 court hearing, where both Willis and Wade testified about their relationship, asserting that it began only after Wade was hired and that expenses were shared. Despite these defenses, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee criticized Willis for what he called a “tremendous lapse in judgment.” Although he initially ruled that Willis could stay on the case if Wade resigned — which Wade promptly did — the decision was challenged.
In December 2024, the Georgia Court of Appeals overruled McAfee’s decision, citing the “appearance of impropriety” and officially removed Willis from the case. The Georgia Supreme Court later declined to hear an appeal from Willis, paving the way for new leadership to be appointed.
Now, with Skandalakis stepping in, attention turns to whether the case will proceed as originally planned or be significantly altered. The nonpartisan Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council has full authority to continue the prosecution, scale it back, or even dismiss charges entirely.
The case originated from a sweeping indictment announced by Willis in August 2023, alleging a broad conspiracy involving Trump and 18 others to unlawfully overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results using the state’s anti-racketeering (RICO) law. The charges stemmed from efforts by Trump and his allies to challenge President Joe Biden’s narrow victory in the state.
Although Trump, now president again, may be shielded from active prosecution while in office, 14 co-defendants — including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani — still face serious legal jeopardy.
Earlier this week, Trump announced pardons for some individuals involved in his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, including those charged in Georgia. However, these pardons do not apply to state-level charges, which are beyond the president’s authority to pardon.
The change in prosecutorial leadership marks a pivotal moment for the case, one that could redefine its direction or momentum. Legal analysts note that while Skandalakis has a reputation for nonpartisanship, the political weight of the case — and its implications for Trump’s presidency — remain significant.
As the 2026 midterms approach, the outcome of this case could resonate far beyond Georgia, influencing public trust in the legal system and shaping the narrative around election integrity and accountability.
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