Fulton DA Willis says no conflict in Trump investigation

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis acknowledged this week to being in a “personal relationship” with Nathan Wade, a top prosecutor on the election interference case involving Donald Trump and 14 others, but says there is no conflict in the Trump investigation. Wade is a consultant and is not an employee of the D.A.’s office.

In Willis’ response to allegations of impropriety, she stated that the accusations were intended to generate media attention and lacked legal weight. The response also notes that two sets of defense lawyers in the case have personal relationships: Amanda Clark Palmer, who represents Ray Smith, and Scott Grubman, who had represented Kenneth Chesebro; and Frank and Laura Hogue, the husband-and-wife legal team that represented Jenna Ellis. 

Defendant Michael Roman had claimed that Willis’s romantic involvement with Wade constituted a financial interest, justifying the removal of her and her office from prosecuting the case, but has not provided any proof to her allegations of a financial interest that would dictate removal.

Willis’ written response, a 176-page document, said the accusations made against her and Wade were designed mainly to garner media attention — and didn’t carry much legal weight. “(T)he motions attempt to cobble together entirely unremarkable circumstances of Special Prosecutor Wade’s appointment with completely irrelevant allegations about his personal family life into a manufactured conflict of interest on the part of the District Attorney,” the filing said.

Willis asserted that the allegations were an attempt to create a manufactured conflict. She argued against the need for Willis and Wade to testify in court, calling it an effort to attract media attention and invade their personal lives.  

Willis confirmed a personal relationship with Wade, which began in 2022, after Wade was hired to lead the Trump case in November 2021. She emphasized that the relationship did not involve direct or indirect financial benefits to Willis and provided assurances that they did not share finances or financial accounts.

Willis also condemned attempts to undermine Wade’s legal career and criticized the subpoenas seeking details about their personal lives. Willis’ filing included photos of defense lawyer Ashleigh Merchant campaigning for Wade’s failed 2016 judgeship bid.

Merchant argued that questioning Willis and Wade is necessary to address discrepancies in their statements about the relationship’s timeline and living arrangements. She questioned why they did not disclose the relationship earlier, highlighting the need for an impartial assessment.The case has become politically charged with salacious accusations clearly meant to harm Willis’ credibility. Trump and other Republicans are attempting to use personal relationship allegations to undermine the charges against them.

Willis’s office also defended Wade’s hourly fees as a special prosecutor, emphasizing the substantial work he has undertaken compared to other special prosecutors on the case.

Democrats called the swift actions by Republicans to form a committee to pursue DA Willis “political theater,” saying it sets a bad precedent and is an effort to distract from the criminal charges Trump is facing. They point out the lack of urgency, interest, and commitment by their Republican colleagues when they sought to form a committee to investigate election interference in Georgia by former President Donald Trump and others. This inconsistency has raised valid questions about the application of such committees, as well as their fairness and impartiality.

Similarly, many say allegations of sexual assault against Trump, as reported by numerous women, raises concerns about double standards. Addressing these ongoing allegations against Trump should be treated with the same seriousness and commitment as Republicans are directing at Willis.