A Georgia appeals court ruled on Thursday that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must be disqualified from prosecuting President-elect Donald Trump and several of his allies for attempting to interfere in the 2020 election in the U.

A Georgia appeals court ruled on Thursday that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must be disqualified from prosecuting President-elect Donald Trump and several of his allies for attempting to interfere in the 2020 election in the U.S. state. The ruling throws into doubt the future of the case, which includes Trump and 14 allies. The appeals court in Atlanta, in a 2-1 ruling, found that a romantic relationship between Willis and a former top deputy, Nathan Wade, created "a significant appearance of impropriety." "While we recognize that an appearance of impropriety generally is not enough to support disqualification, this is the rare case in which disqualification is mandated and no other remedy will suffice to restore public confidence in the integrity of these proceedings," the court wrote in its opinion. Willis' office said in a court filing that it intends to appeal the ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the office did not respond to a request for comment. The case was one of four criminal prosecutions that Trump faced in the years since his 2020 presidential re-election loss. Just one — a New York case over a hush money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign — went to trial. He was found guilty in that case but has not yet been sentenced. Also read: US President-elect Donald Trump says Congress should get rid of debt ceiling Trump criticised all four cases as politically motivated attempts to keep him from returning to power. The Georgia court did not require that the case be tossed out, but its decision will require a new state prosecutor to take over in order for it to continue. Steve Sadow, Trump's lead lawyer in the case, called it "a well-reasoned and just decision." The case was already expected to be at least paused against Trump when he returns to the White House on Jan. 20. He has said it should be dismissed in its entirety. "The American People have demanded an immediate end to the political weaponisation of our justice system," a Trump spokesperson said in a statement reacting to the ruling. Trump has publicly discussed using the federal government, including the Justice Department, to investigate his political rivals when he returns to power. "We are very pleased the court of appeals agreed with Mr. Roman and the other defendants that Ms. Willis should not have been allowed to prosecute this case," said Ashleigh Merchant, a lawyer for Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, who initially sought Willis' removal from the case. SPRAWLING CASE Trump and 18 of his allies were initially charged in 2023 in what prosecutors alleged was a sprawling conspiracy to undo Trump's narrow defeat in the battleground state in the 2020 election. The defendants include former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Four people initially charged pleaded guilty to lesser offences. Trump and 14 others pleaded not guilty. Trump and eight co-defendants moved to disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case early this year, alleging that Willis received a financial benefit from her relationship with Wade and had an improper motive to prolong the case. Willis hired Wade, an Atlanta lawyer, to help run the investigation and prosecution of Trump and his allies. Willis admitted to the relationship with Wade, but denied allegations of wrongdoing. She said she reimbursed Wade in cash for vacations the two took together. After a multiday court hearing, Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March that Willis could remain on the case as long as Wade stepped down, which he agreed to do. But the appeals court found that McAfee's ruling did not address the appearance of wrongdoing that occurred earlier on, "when DA Willis was exercising her broad pretrial discretion about who to prosecute and what charges to bring." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Georgia court disqualifies Fani Willis from Trump election case over alleged relationship scandal

Georgia, United States
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A Georgia appeals court ruled on Thursday that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must be disqualified from prosecuting President-elect Donald Trump and several of his allies for attempting to interfere in the 2020 election in the U.S. state.
The ruling throws into doubt the future of the case, which includes Trump and 14 allies. The appeals court in Atlanta, in a 2-1 ruling, found that a romantic relationship between Willis and a former top deputy, Nathan Wade, created "a significant appearance of impropriety."
"While we recognize that an appearance of impropriety generally is not enough to support disqualification, this is the rare case in which disqualification is mandated and no other remedy will suffice to restore public confidence in the integrity of these proceedings," the court wrote in its opinion.
Willis' office said in a court filing that it intends to appeal the ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the office did not respond to a request for comment.
The case was one of four criminal prosecutions that Trump faced in the years since his 2020 presidential re-election loss. Just one — a New York case over a hush money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign — went to trial. He was found guilty in that case but has not yet been sentenced.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-elect-donald-trump-says-congress-should-get-rid-of-debt-ceiling-785376">US President-elect Donald Trump says Congress should get rid of debt ceiling</a>
Trump criticised all four cases as politically motivated attempts to keep him from returning to power.
The Georgia court did not require that the case be tossed out, but its decision will require a new state prosecutor to take over in order for it to continue.
Steve Sadow, Trump's lead lawyer in the case, called it "a well-reasoned and just decision."
The case was already expected to be at least paused against Trump when he returns to the White House on Jan. 20. He has said it should be dismissed in its entirety.
"The American People have demanded an immediate end to the political weaponisation of our justice system," a Trump spokesperson said in a statement reacting to the ruling.
Trump has publicly discussed using the federal government, including the Justice Department, to investigate his political rivals when he returns to power.
"We are very pleased the court of appeals agreed with Mr. Roman and the other defendants that Ms. Willis should not have been allowed to prosecute this case," said Ashleigh Merchant, a lawyer for Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, who initially sought Willis' removal from the case.
<h2>SPRAWLING CASE</h2>
Trump and 18 of his allies were initially charged in 2023 in what prosecutors alleged was a sprawling conspiracy to undo Trump's narrow defeat in the battleground state in the 2020 election. The defendants include former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
Four people initially charged pleaded guilty to lesser offences.
Trump and 14 others pleaded not guilty.
Trump and eight co-defendants moved to disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case early this year, alleging that Willis received a financial benefit from her relationship with Wade and had an improper motive to prolong the case.
Willis hired Wade, an Atlanta lawyer, to help run the investigation and prosecution of Trump and his allies.
Willis admitted to the relationship with Wade, but denied allegations of wrongdoing. She said she reimbursed Wade in cash for vacations the two took together.
After a multiday court hearing, Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March that Willis could remain on the case as long as Wade stepped down, which he agreed to do.
But the appeals court found that McAfee's ruling did not address the appearance of wrongdoing that occurred earlier on, "when DA Willis was exercising her broad pretrial discretion about who to prosecute and what charges to bring."
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The ruling throws into doubt the future of the case, which includes Trump and 14 allies. The appeals court in Atlanta, in a 2-1 ruling, found that a romantic relationship between Willis and a former top deputy, Nathan Wade, created "a significant appearance of impropriety."



Georgia, United States A Georgia appeals court ruled on Thursday that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must be disqualified from prosecuting President-elect Donald Trump and several of his allies for attempting to interfere in the 2020 election in the U.S. state. The ruling throws into doubt the future of the case, which includes Trump and 14 allies. The appeals court in Atlanta, in a 2-1 ruling, found that a romantic relationship between Willis and a former top deputy, Nathan Wade, created "a significant appearance of impropriety." "While we recognize that an appearance of impropriety generally is not enough to support disqualification, this is the rare case in which disqualification is mandated and no other remedy will suffice to restore public confidence in the integrity of these proceedings," the court wrote in its opinion. Willis' office said in a court filing that it intends to appeal the ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the office did not respond to a request for comment. The case was one of four criminal prosecutions that Trump faced in the years since his 2020 presidential re-election loss. Just one — a New York case over a hush money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign — went to trial. He was found guilty in that case but has not yet been sentenced. Also read: US President-elect Donald Trump says Congress should get rid of debt ceiling Trump criticised all four cases as politically motivated attempts to keep him from returning to power. The Georgia court did not require that the case be tossed out, but its decision will require a new state prosecutor to take over in order for it to continue. Steve Sadow, Trump's lead lawyer in the case, called it "a well-reasoned and just decision." The case was already expected to be at least paused against Trump when he returns to the White House on Jan. 20. He has said it should be dismissed in its entirety. "The American People have demanded an immediate end to the political weaponisation of our justice system," a Trump spokesperson said in a statement reacting to the ruling. Trump has publicly discussed using the federal government, including the Justice Department, to investigate his political rivals when he returns to power. "We are very pleased the court of appeals agreed with Mr. Roman and the other defendants that Ms. Willis should not have been allowed to prosecute this case," said Ashleigh Merchant, a lawyer for Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, who initially sought Willis' removal from the case. SPRAWLING CASE Trump and 18 of his allies were initially charged in 2023 in what prosecutors alleged was a sprawling conspiracy to undo Trump's narrow defeat in the battleground state in the 2020 election. The defendants include former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Four people initially charged pleaded guilty to lesser offences. Trump and 14 others pleaded not guilty. Trump and eight co-defendants moved to disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case early this year, alleging that Willis received a financial benefit from her relationship with Wade and had an improper motive to prolong the case. Willis hired Wade, an Atlanta lawyer, to help run the investigation and prosecution of Trump and his allies. Willis admitted to the relationship with Wade, but denied allegations of wrongdoing. She said she reimbursed Wade in cash for vacations the two took together. After a multiday court hearing, Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March that Willis could remain on the case as long as Wade stepped down, which he agreed to do. But the appeals court found that McAfee's ruling did not address the appearance of wrongdoing that occurred earlier on, "when DA Willis was exercising her broad pretrial discretion about who to prosecute and what charges to bring." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

A federal judge on Friday granted a request by Special Counsel&nbsp;Jack&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;to pause the case against Donald Trump for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

In a filing with District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the case,&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;noted that Trump won the White House race this week and is to be inaugurated as president on January 20, 2025.

He asked Chutkan to vacate the filing deadlines in the case "to afford the government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy."

Chutkan granted&nbsp;Smith's request without comment.

The Justice Department has a long-standing policy of not prosecuting a sitting president.

Smith&nbsp;said he would file a status report with the court by December 2.

Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress called to certify Joe Biden's win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021, by a mob of the former president's supporters.

Trump is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election.

Smith&nbsp;charged Trump with mishandling top secret documents after leaving the White House, but that case was tossed out by a federal judge in Florida, a Trump appointee, on the grounds that&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;was unlawfully appointed.

Smith&nbsp;had appealed the dismissal but is now expected to drop the appeal.&nbsp;

Trump also faces two state cases -- in New York and Georgia.

He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter.

Trump was scheduled to be sentenced in July, but his lawyers asked that his conviction be tossed in light of the Supreme Court immunity ruling.

Judge Juan Merchan is to rule on the dismissal motion on November 12 and has set sentencing -- should it still be necessary -- for November 26.

Trump, the first former president convicted of a crime, faces up to four years in prison on each count. As a first-time offender, however, he was considered far more likely to receive a fine and probation -- but that was before his White House win.

In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office under the policy of not prosecuting a sitting president.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

A federal judge on Friday granted a request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to pause the case against Donald Trump for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

A federal judge on Friday granted a request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to pause the case against Donald Trump for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. In a filing with District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the case, Smith noted that Trump won the White House race this week and is to be inaugurated as president on January 20, 2025. He asked Chutkan to vacate the filing deadlines in the case "to afford the government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy." Chutkan granted Smith's request without comment. The Justice Department has a long-standing policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Smith said he would file a status report with the court by December 2. Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress called to certify Joe Biden's win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021, by a mob of the former president's supporters. Trump is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election. Smith charged Trump with mishandling top secret documents after leaving the White House, but that case was tossed out by a federal judge in Florida, a Trump appointee, on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed. Smith had appealed the dismissal but is now expected to drop the appeal. Trump also faces two state cases -- in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. Trump was scheduled to be sentenced in July, but his lawyers asked that his conviction be tossed in light of the Supreme Court immunity ruling. Judge Juan Merchan is to rule on the dismissal motion on November 12 and has set sentencing -- should it still be necessary -- for November 26. Trump, the first former president convicted of a crime, faces up to four years in prison on each count. As a first-time offender, however, he was considered far more likely to receive a fine and probation -- but that was before his White House win. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office under the policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Trump election interference case: US judge grants request by special counsel to pause case

&nbsp;The criminal election interference case against former US president Donald Trump has been stayed for months till an appellate panel decides if the district attorney in Fulton County needs to be disqualified from prosecuting the case with a conflict of interest.

The court, in a one-page order, said that any movement at the trial-court level related to Trump and eight other defendants who have filed a plea against the ruling which permitted prosecutor Fani T Willis to stay on the case was “stayed pending the outcome of these appeals.”

The former president's lawyers have repeatedly asked for the removal of Willis from the case while arguing that she is allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with another prosecutor.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-and-donald-trump-win-in-some-of-2024s-last-primary-contests-728876">Joe Biden and Donald Trump win elections in some of 2024’s last primary contests</a>

The judge overseeing the case last month said that no conflict of interest was found by the court and permitted the case to proceed, as Trump's appeal remained pending.&nbsp;

However, the latest decision will stop the case from proceeding till the appeal ruling on Willis.&nbsp;

Currently, the Georgia Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments on October 4 which makes it highly unlikely to settle the case ahead of the presidential election in November.

Trump, along with 18 others, is facing prosecution in Georgia for conspiring to overturn the state's 2020 election results. The trial was almost upended after one of the co-defendants said that Willis' romantic relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade was benefitting her improperly.

After some tense days in court in February, Willis finally accepted her relationship with Wade but denied getting any benefits.

Judge Scott McAfee finally found in March that Willis had a "serious lapse in judgment" and that the case suffered damage because of the relationship, with the "appearance of impropriety".

<h2>NYPD to revoke Trump’s license to carry a gun&nbsp;</h2>

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has been making preparations to revoke the gun-carrying license of former President&nbsp;Donald Trump, CNNA channel reported citing a senior police official.

Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump's conviction: Trump ready to accept jail term over charges

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trumps-conviction-trump-ready-to-accept-jail-term-over-charges-728262/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On April 1, 2023, Trump’s New York concealed carry license was quietly suspended after his indictment on criminal charges in New York, stated the official.

On March 31, 2023, the NYPD took two of the three pistols which Trump was licensed to carry and&nbsp;a third gun listed on Trump’s license “was lawfully moved to Florida,” said the official.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;NYPD’s Legal Bureau will end its investigation “that will likely lead to revocation of his license,” the senior police official stated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The criminal election interference case against former US president Donald Trump has been stayed for months till an appellate panel decides if the district attorney in Fulton County needs to be disqualified from prosecuting the case with a conflict of interest.

The criminal election interference case against former US president Donald Trump has been stayed for months till an appellate panel decides if the district attorney in Fulton County needs to be disqualified from prosecuting the case with a conflict of interest. The court, in a one-page order, said that any movement at the trial-court level related to Trump and eight other defendants who have filed a plea against the ruling which permitted prosecutor Fani T Willis to stay on the case was “stayed pending the outcome of these appeals.” The former president's lawyers have repeatedly asked for the removal of Willis from the case while arguing that she is allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with another prosecutor. Also Read: Joe Biden and Donald Trump win elections in some of 2024’s last primary contests The judge overseeing the case last month said that no conflict of interest was found by the court and permitted the case to proceed, as Trump's appeal remained pending. However, the latest decision will stop the case from proceeding till the appeal ruling on Willis. Currently, the Georgia Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments on October 4 which makes it highly unlikely to settle the case ahead of the presidential election in November. Trump, along with 18 others, is facing prosecution in Georgia for conspiring to overturn the state's 2020 election results. The trial was almost upended after one of the co-defendants said that Willis' romantic relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade was benefitting her improperly. After some tense days in court in February, Willis finally accepted her relationship with Wade but denied getting any benefits. Judge Scott McAfee finally found in March that Willis had a "serious lapse in judgment" and that the case suffered damage because of the relationship, with the "appearance of impropriety". NYPD to revoke Trump’s license to carry a gun The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has been making preparations to revoke the gun-carrying license of former President Donald Trump, CNNA channel reported citing a senior police official. Watch: Donald Trump's conviction: Trump ready to accept jail term over charges On April 1, 2023, Trump’s New York concealed carry license was quietly suspended after his indictment on criminal charges in New York, stated the official. On March 31, 2023, the NYPD took two of the three pistols which Trump was licensed to carry and a third gun listed on Trump’s license “was lawfully moved to Florida,” said the official. The NYPD’s Legal Bureau will end its investigation “that will likely lead to revocation of his license,” the senior police official stated. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump election interference case: Georgia court pauses matter for months, probably beyond Nov polls

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Georgia court disqualifies Fani Willis from Trump election case over alleged relationship scandal

Georgia court disqualifies Fani Willis from Trump election case over alleged relationship scandal

Trump election interference case: US judge grants request by special counsel to pause case

Trump election interference case: Georgia court pauses matter for months, probably beyond Nov polls