The appeal to have Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis removed from former President Donald Trump’s election interference case is set for oral arguments tentatively scheduled for Oct. 2024.
The Georgia Court of Appeals has proposed Oct. 4 as the potential date for the hearing, a timeline that could extend past the 2024 Election Day.
On June 3, both Willis and Trump’s legal team were notified of this decision, with defense attorney briefs expected by late June 2024.
Trump and several co-defendants allege that Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade were romantically involved before their hiring, with accusations that Willis benefited financially from the relationship.
Both Willis and Wade have denied these claims during questioning in a March 2024 hearing.
However, Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Wade must be removed to prevent Willis from facing disqualification.
The fight for disqualification, along with extensive questioning on presidential immunity by the Supreme Court, makes it improbable for Trump to face another Georgia jury before Election Day.
While the October date is tentative, a party involved in the case would need to request an oral argument, and the court would then decide whether to permit it. Alternatively, the judging panel may choose to forego oral arguments and decide based on filed briefs.
Although the case against Trump and his co-defendants can proceed in the lower court, no trial date has been set yet.
