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The Georgia election interference case against President Donald Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants is set to move forward under new leadership following the removal of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
On Friday (November 14), Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, announced that he will take over the election interference case, per HuffPost.
The announcement comes after Willis was removed earlier this year over "an appearance of impropriety" stemming from her alleged relationship with a special prosecutor she appointed. Once Willis was disqualified, the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council was required to find a replacement, but no other Georgia prosecutor agreed to take the case.
“Several prosecutors were contacted and, while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment,” Skandalakis said.
Skandalakis noted that he could've let the case close due to a lack of a prosecutor, but he believed it would've been irresponsible to do so.
“The public has a legitimate interest in the outcome of this case,” he wrote. “It is important that someone make an informed and transparent determination about how best to proceed.”
While Trump is unlikely to face trial while serving as president, 14 co-defendants, including Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani, still face charges tied to efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. Trump recently pardoned several individuals accused of aiding his efforts, but the move won't affect the state-level case.
Skandalakis said Willis’ office delivered 101 boxes of documents and an eight-terabyte hard drive containing the full investigative file. He hasn't completed his review, but took the job to ensure the case receives a final, informed decision, whether that means pursuing the charges, narrowing them, or dismissing them.
In a statement, Trump attorney Steve Sadow said he is confident that a “fair and impartial review” will result in dismissal, calling the prosecution “politically charged.”
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