FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Fulton County Superior Court judge is hearing arguments on Tuesday in a legal dispute over whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must testify before a Republican-led state Senate committee.
The Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations is investigating allegations of misconduct involving Willis, specifically related to her handling of the 2020 election interference case against now-President-elect Donald Trump. The accusations stem from Willis’ previous personal relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who was appointed to oversee the case and later resigned from the role due to a judge's order.
In September, Willis defied the committee’s subpoenas, refusing to testify or turn over requested documents. She has since filed a legal challenge, asserting that the subpoenas are invalid.
The Senate committee is seeking to question Willis under oath about her relationship with Wade and its potential impact on the high-profile case. Republicans argue that her connection to Wade raises ethical concerns regarding the prosecution of Trump.
The judge’s ruling could determine whether Willis must comply with the subpoenas, and has larger implications for the Georgia legislature's subpoena power.
Wade resigned after lawyers for defendants in the case, including for Trump, argued the relationship presented a conflict of interest requiring the disqualification of Willis. Judge Robert McBurney instead ruled Willis could stay on if Wade left the case.
The part of the ruling by McBurney allowing Willis to stay on the case has been appealed, and the Georgia Court of Appeals was set to hear arguments on that appeal this month. But those arguments were canceled two weeks ago and the status of when -- or whether at all -- the Court of Appeals will still hear the matter is up in the air.