ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia election interference case against President Donald Trump has come to a halt after Pete Skandalakis, the newly appointed prosecutor, chose not to take further action. This decision was communicated through a court filing, leading to the case's dismissal by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee.
Skandalakis took over the case last month from the previous District Attorney, Fani Willis, who was removed due to an alleged conflict of interest stemming from her romantic link to the special prosecutor overseeing the case.
Despite Trump being shielded from legal accountability while serving as president, 14 co-defendants, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and ex-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, still face various charges. This dismissal signals an end to the legal storm surrounding Trump, at least in Georgia.
Trump's attorney, Steve Sadow, praised the dismissal as a resolution to what he termed the political persecution of the former president. He stated, “This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare.”
The case stemmed from allegations that Trump and others conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which saw Joe Biden narrowly defeat Trump in Georgia, using the state's anti-racketeering laws.
After the Georgia Supreme Court dismissed Willis’ appeal regarding her disqualification, Skandalakis appointed himself as the prosecutor, rather than allow the case to languish without action. He noted that he plans to use public interest as a guiding principle while assessing the substantial evidence accumulated in the case.
Willis had taken over the case and announced a sweeping indictment of Trump and 18 others in August 2023, alleging a far-reaching conspiracy. However, growing tensions surrounding her role prompted the defense attorneys to seek her removal.
Defense attorneys argued that the romance between Willis and the special prosecutor posed a conflict of interest, fueling ongoing discussions over the integrity and fairness of the trial. The Georgia Court of Appeals ultimately ruled against Willis, disqualifying her.
As the case progresses, many are left wondering about the implications for the remaining co-defendants and the future of legal accountability for election-related conspiracies.
