A hearing in Donald Trump’s Georgia racketeering case has been abruptly cancelled without explanation.
The court was set to hear arguments regarding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s position on the case, following controversy over her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
The sudden December 5 cancellation, announced yesterday, could signal a broader disruption to proceedings, coming amid significant changes to Trump’s legal cases following his White House victory.
The Georgia case faced significant scrutiny after revelations of a romantic relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Wade.
Willis was later accused of a conflict of interest after hiring Wade, who subsequently purchased holidays for the pair.
The district attorney maintained that the relationship began only after she hired Wade for the case.
She also claimed to have reimbursed the money spent on the holidays.
Trump’s Georgia racketeering hearing cancelled over ‘romantic relationship’ between district attorney and special prosecutor
REUTERS
Trump was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury in August last year over allegations of illegally attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.
The case marked a historic moment as Trump became the first former US President to have a mugshot taken.
The Georgia case was initially considered one of the most serious criminal cases against the former President.
Steve Sadow, Trump’s legal representative, previously argued that if his client returned to the White House, the Georgia trial would face years of delay.
He cited the Constitution’s supremacy clause, which establishes federal law’s precedence over state law.
According to Sadow, this means the trial could only proceed after Trump leaves office – potentially in 2029 if he serves a full term.
This follows broader disruptions to Trump’s legal cases, including the cancellation of court dates in his Washington, DC election interference case.
Willis declined to comment when asked by The New York Times about the case’s future following Trump’s election victory.
Legal commentators had widely anticipated the case would be put on hold following Trump’s Republican election win.
Special counsel Jack Smith is already starting to wind down proceedings in separate cases brought against the incoming President.