A judge in Georgia has dropped three charges in the 2020 election interference case against President Donald Trump and others. Trump was charged with two of the counts that were dropped by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee on Friday, including those related to filing false documents. “We remain confident that a fair and impartial review will lead to a dismissal of the case against president Trump,” said Trump’s attorney Steve Sadow on Friday.
The case also received a new top prosecutor Friday after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was disqualified from the case following the discovery of an affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who has since stepped down. Peter Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, appointed himself to replace Willis. If he had not done so, the case would have had to be dropped by the Friday deadline set by McAfee. “I am keenly aware that this matter has been of significant public interest since January 2021,” said Skandalakis, “my only objective is to ensure that this case is handled properly, fairly, and with full transparency discharging my duties without fear, favor, or affection.”
On Monday the administration announced full pardons for some of those indicted in the Georgia case, but Skandalakis stated that presidential pardons apply only to federal charges and do not affect the state case. Thirty-two counts remain in the election interference case, with the president pleading not guilty.
