Congressional Republicans criticized the latest ruling from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, in which he refused to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis, calling it “lawfare,” a term used to describe a governing party’s wielding the law as a strategic weapon – and alleging “election interference” against former President Trump.
“The Atlanta prosecution – like the others – is a political hatchet job aimed at salvaging Joe Biden’s campaign. This lawfare against President Trump is more appropriate in a banana republic than America,” Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
GEORGIA’S JUDGE MCAFEE SAYS HE WILL SOON RULE WHETHER DA FANI WILLIS IS DISQUALIFIED IN TRUMP CASE
McAfee ruled on Friday that Willis must step back from the election interference case, or she would be required to fire special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The judge made clear that the defendants seeking to disqualify Willis “failed to meet their burden of proving that the district attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest in this case through her personal relationship and recurring travels with her lead prosecutor.”
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15, 2024 in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer)
The judge said the record from the evidentiary hearing “highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team.” This, said McAfee, has to be removed through one of those two options.
BIDEN-TRUMP SEQUEL UNDERWAY IN HISTORY-MAKING FIRST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION REMATCH SINCE 1956
Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., took to X to respond, writing, “Judge McAfee once worked for Fani Willis and donated to her campaign,” he noted. “I am not shocked that he didn’t disqualify her, but as an American, I am disappointed.”
“Fani Willis is as crooked as they come! It is impossible for @realDonaldTrump to get a fair trial! Election interference!” he continued.
Last month, McAfee held a two-day evidentiary hearing for the co-defendants to make their case for Willis’s disqualification, stemming from her relationship with Wade and its alleged connection to his role in the case. During the hearing, both Wade and Willis were questioned over money spent during their relationship and the timeline.
LAWMAKERS BLAST BIDEN GAZA PORT PLAN AS POLITICAL MOVE TO WIN BACK PROGRESSIVES
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said, “The American people are clear-eyed about what President Trump’s political opponents are attempting to do. They are using the justice system — timed to the election — for political purposes. Our nation deserves better.”
Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, wrote on X, slamming McAfee as “another politically motivated judge.”
CENTRIST GROUP NO LABELS SETS UP PANEL TO SELECT THIRD-PARTY PRESIDENTIAL TICKET
“The corruption in Fulton County, Georgia is some of the worst in the nation,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. “It makes most of us in Georgia sick.”
Fellow Georgia Rep. Mike Collins, R–Ga., also sounded off on the decision, writing, “Breaking: Fulton County Judge says Fani gets to stay on the case… As long as she fires her boyfriend who has already billed taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“It’s totally fine. Nothing to see here,” he added.
Democratic lawmakers were silent on the court’s decision.
