By Wonderwall.com Editors
8:00am PDT, Mar 31, 2024
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Nathan Wade, the prosecutor Fani Willis appointed to work on Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case, resigned on March 15 after a judge ruled Willis could stay on the case only if Wade, her former romantic partner, stepped aside.
Wade's resignation came hours after Atlanta Judge Scott McAfee issued a ruling in which he criticized Willis harshly and repeatedly for her conduct, according to the ruling as published by CNN. The judge referenced Willis' "bad decisions" related to dating her subordinate and her "tremendous lack of judgement" in doing so. But he found no evidence the Fulton County D.A.'s "personal relationship and recurring travels with her lead prosecutor" amounted to "an actual conflict of interest" with financial ramifications, as lawyers for one of Trump's co-defendants Mike Roman had claimed.
Still, the judge found Willis' romantic history with Wade created the "appearance of impropriety" that now demanded a fix to protect the integrity of the system, including the decision on the original election interference case.
He therefore found an ultimatum was the most reasonable solution, with the D.A.'s office proceeding with the case only in the absence of Wade.
By that afternoon, Wade had resigned and Willis had accepted his resignation.
On social media, Capitol Hill and beyond, however, the middle-ground ruling struck a nerve, with Trump's supporters and critics registering vastly different opinions on the judge's findings.
Keep reading for more details, then click through to see reactions from Trump's camp, top politicians and more …
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"Without sufficient evidence that the District Attorney acquired a personal stake in the prosecution, or that her financial arrangements had any impact on the case, the Defendants' claims of an actual conflict must be denied," Judge Scott McAfee wrote in the 23-page ruling, per CNN.
"This finding is by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorney's testimony during the evidentiary hearing. Rather, it is the undersigned's opinion that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices — even repeatedly — and it is the trial court's duty to confine itself to the relevant issues and applicable law properly brought before it," he added, noting that "the prosecution is encumbered by an appearance of impropriety."
The judge continued, "As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist."
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Hours after Judge Scott McAfee ruled on the case, Nathan Wade stepped down.
In a resignation letter addressed to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (also published by CNN), Wade wrote that although the court found no evidence of a conflict of interest, "I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public and to move this case forward as quickly as possible.
"I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case," he continued.
"Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, and being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honor of a lifetime."
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In a letter of response, Fani Willis wrote that she accepted Nathan Wade's resignation "effective immediately" and commended him for his work on the election subversion case up to that point. That work, she noted, left Wade facing "threats made against you and your family" and "unjustified attacks" on his reputation as an attorney, both in court and in the press.
"You were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgia's 2020 Presidential Election," she wrote, in part, per CNN.
"Others who were considered were understandably concerned for the safety of themselves and their families that would arise from their acceptance of your role. You were the one who had the courage to accept the role, even though you did not seek it," Willis continued.
"Please accept my sincere gratitude on behalf of the citizens of Fulton County Georgia for your patriotism, courage, and dedication to justice."
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After the initial ruling was handed down, Donald Trump's lead attorney on the Georgia case, Steve Sadow, vowed to use "all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case," The Hill reported.
"While respecting the Court's decision, we believe that the Court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade, including the financial benefits, testifying untruthfully about when their personal relationship began, as well as Willis' extrajudicial MLK 'church speech,' where she played the race card and falsely accused the defendants and their counsel of racism," Saddow said in a statement.
Trump was less formal in his response. On Truth Social, the former president spoke in the third person and mocked Willis and Wade, whom he suggested were politically motivated to "persecute" him.
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"The Fani Willis lover, Mr. Nathan Wade Esq., has just resigned in disgrace, as per his and her reading of the Judge's Order today," Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Nathan was the 'Special,' in more ways than one, Prosecutor 'engaged' by Fani (pronounced Fauni!) Willis, to persecute TRUMP for Crooked Joe Biden and his Department of Injustice, for purposes of Election Interference and living the life of the Rich and Famous. This is the equivalent of Deranged Jack Smith getting 'canned,' BIG STUFF, something which should happen in the not too distant future!!!"
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In Janaury 2024, Ashleigh Merchant, the attorney representing one of Donald Trump's co-defendants, 2020 campaign operative Mike Roman, filed a motion alleging Fani Willis and Nathan Wade had a romantic relationship that constituted a conflict of interest. She claimed, but ultimately failed to prove, Willis improperly benefited financially from her relationship with Wade.
"While we believe the court should have disqualified Willis' office entirely, this opinion is a vindication that everything put forth by the defense was true, accurate and relevant to the issues surrounding our client's right to a fair trial. The judge clearly agreed with the defense that the actions of Willis are a result of her poor judgment and that there is a risk to the future of this case if she doesn't quickly work to cure her conflict," Merchant said in a statement published by NBC News.
"While we do not agree that the court's suggested cure is adequate in response to the egregious conduct by the district attorney, we look forward to the district attorney's response to the demands by the court. We will continue to fight for our client," she added.
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"Before this scandal was unearthed by defense attny Ashley Merchant, things were rolling along for Fani W. She's now been publicly humiliated and disgraced. Her ethical and legal probs are only just beginning. I'm not at all confident she will try this case v Trump. She will be under multiple investigations by then," Megyn Kelly claimed on X.
"She gets to remain on the case thx to a judge who pulled a cowardly John Roberts. But her probs are only beginning … and getting Wade off of this case is a superhuman feat by the defense. He's been outed (as has she) as a liar/schemer. So — not entirely what the defense wanted (or deserved) but still Team Trump is in much better shape today than 3 mos ago in GA," she continued.
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"Now, DA Willis and her team can get back to the matter at hand — prosecuting Donald Trump and those involved in a concerted effort to steal an election," Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement, according to Atlanta News First.
"These people need to know that they cannot come to our state and overturn the will of the people, and voters in Atlanta and Georgia deserve to see justice served," he added.
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"Judge McAfee worked for Fani Willis and donated to her campaign AND has now ruled that Fani can keep prosecuting Trump but only if she removes her lover Nathan Wade off the case! Judge McAfee should have recused himself in the first place because of his obvious bias. Fani Willis lied under oath in his courtroom! Fani and Wade conspired with the Whitehouse and Jan 6th Committee, talk about RICO charges! Fani Willis overpaid her lover Nathan Wade as he had zero experience with RICO cases, abuse of taxpayer funds! And the Georgia Ethics board needs to seriously investigate both Fani Willis and Nathan Wade, I've filed multiple complaints! The corruption in Fulton County, Georgia, is some of the worst in the nation. It makes most of us in Georgia sick." –Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a Republican, wrote on X
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"Now bury this orange heathen under the jail. No election win for the Presidency can protect him from being ordered to the Georgia Department of Corrections. Fani Willis and her office can continue their prosecution so long as Special Prosecutor Wade is removed. The decision is odd based upon the law, but honestly, this sounds like the judge exercising as much caution as possible to protect the record if and when Trump is convicted. … I say give him his Constitutional Right for all 80+ criminal counts… (His Right to a Speedy Trial!)" –Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, a Democrat, wrote on X
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"Trump you're still not allowed to steal an election. Even if the person who caught you has a boyfriend. #FaniWillis" –Bill Maher
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"St. Patrick's Day came early for Fani Willis after a judge ruled that she could stay on the Trump case, despite her improprieties with Lover Boy. But Fani's luck could run out soon as the Georgia Senate begins investigating her office and the thousands of sweet nothings she traded with now-resigned prosecutor Nathan Wade." –Jesse Watters on Fox
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"Is there ever any accountability for corrupt Democrat operatives like Fani Willis? So her bf, Nathan Wade, resigns and she stays on the case after going on vacations with him on the taxpayers dime. And lying under oath. They both should be disbarred. Can you imagine if this had been a Republican? #fani #Georgia" –Alana Stewart
