Fani Willis Testimony Suddenly Halted

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' testimony in her disqualification hearing wrapped up early after the state opted not to question her Friday morning.

Willis, who was expected to take the stand during the second day of the hearing, is facing potential disqualification after attorneys representing former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants in her Georgia election interference case raised concerns about her romantic relationship with a lawyer she placed on the case, Nathan Wade.

Trump and 18 others who are accused in a 41-count indictment of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia. The former president has pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges against him and said the case is politically motivated.

Willis provided testimony toward the end of the first day of the hearing on Thursday, but lawyers declined to continue questioning her on Friday.

Context

Willis is leading the prosecution of Trump, but attorneys representing Michael Roman, a co-defendant in the case, are seeking to disqualify Willis from the case over her relationship with Wade, alleging the pair benefited financially from taxpayers' money. Willis has denied any wrongdoing.

What We Know

During Thursday's testimony, Willis rejected the idea that she engaged in misconduct by having a relationship with Wade, accusing prosecutors of being "intrusive into peoples' personal lives."

"You're confused. You think I'm on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. I'm not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial," Willis said.

She also accused Roman's attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, of lying about the details of the relationship.

Her testimony came after her former friend, Robin Bryant-Yeardie, testified Thursday morning that her relationship with Wade allegedly began earlier than disclosed in an affidavit. Legal experts told Newsweek that if Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over the case, finds that credible, it could be problematic for Willis.

Willis' investigation into the former president focused on his call to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which the former president asked him to find enough votes to tilt the election in his favor, as well as an alleged plot to submit a false slate of pro-Trump electors to the Electoral College.

Willis had admitted to having a personal relationship with Wade, but has argued it is not grounds to disqualify her from the Trump case.

Views

Reaction from legal experts about Willis' testimony ending poured in Friday morning.

"Second big development: Willis is done. She was devastatingly effective overall in explaining the truth. There are no grounds for disqualification as I & virtually every credible expert has said from the get-go," former Obama White House ethics czar Norm Eisen wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

Conservative attorney Jonathan Turley posted: "The state told the court that it had no further questions for Willis, which is why she will not testify today. It is a smart move to minimize any damage."

What's Next

The court is expected to hear testimony today from Terrence Bradley, Wade's business partner who was also his divorce attorney. Bradley took the stand briefly on Thursday, but his testimony faced several questions about attorney-client privilege.

District attorney lawyer Anna Cross is also expected to call witnesses.

Once the hearing concludes, McAfee will determine whether or not Willis will be removed from the case. If Willis is removed, the case against Trump would not be dismissed. Instead, another district attorney, or potentially Attorney General Christopher M. Carr, a Republican, could take over the prosecution.

Newsweek reached out to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office for comment via email.

Update 2/17/24, 10:05 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.