Trump vs. Fani Willis: Judge Denies One Big Georgia Trial

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Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee reacts as he hears motions from attorneys representing Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell in Atlanta on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. Donald Trump will not face trial next month in Georgia after McAfee ruled Thursday that the former president and 16 others accused of illegally trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election will be tried separately from Chesebro and Powell, two lawyers in the case. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool)
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A Georgia court has thwarted Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ plans to have former President Donald Trump and 18 other co-defendants tried together in a case surrounding Georgia’s election subversion.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee announced that Trump and 16 of his co-defendants will move forward separately, leaving their trial date undetermined. Only Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, the remaining two co-defendants, are set for trial this October.

Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade, center, representing the District Attorney’s office, speaks before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, not pictured, in Atlanta on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. Donald Trump will not face trial next month in Georgia after McAfee ruled Thursday that the former president and 16 others accused of illegally trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election will be tried separately from two lawyers in the case. Lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro had filed demands for a speedy trial, and McAfee set their trial to begin Oct. 23. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool)

The decision deals a blow to DA Willis, who argued that a joint trial would be more efficient for the justice system. But the court suggested otherwise, raising questions about the timeline of Trump’s various legal entanglements as he considers a 2024 presidential run.

This recent ruling pushes the possibility of Trump’s Georgia trial potentially into 2024 or later, adding more complexity to an already loaded legal calendar for the former president.

So, the question is, how will this affect DA Fani Willis’ strategy in her pursuit against Trump and his associates?


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

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