Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed a law reactivating a committee that can monitor local prosecutors like Fulton County DA Fani Willis.
The Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission was initially established last year but blocked by the state Supreme Court.
The new law removes the high court’s approval, allowing the commission, comprised solely of Republican appointees, to potentially remove prosecutors whose decisions they disagree with.
“This legislation will help us ensure rogue and incompetent prosecutors are held accountable if they refuse to uphold the law,” Kemp said. “As we know all too well, crime has been on the rise across the country, and is especially prevalent in cities where prosecutors are giving criminals a free pass or failing to put them behind bars due to lack of professional conduct.”
Supporters say it provides oversight of rogue prosecutors, while critics argue it removes voter oversight and hands political appointees unchecked power.
“The signing of Senate Bill 332 shows that Republicans care little about the State Constitution and will stop at nothing to steal power from Georgia voters. The bill fails to address the constitutional concerns raised by the legal community over the last year about the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission and even worse, removes the Supreme Court’s oversight of the body. Now this group of political appointees—chosen solely by Republicans—has unchecked power to remove prosecutors whose decisions they disagree with, no matter how well a district attorney or solicitor general represents the voters who elected them in the courtroom,” said DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston.
The move threatens Willis’ investigation against Donald Trump, as the commission could now more quickly remove her.
“I am thankful to Governor Kemp for signing this vital piece of legislation into law. Now, the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission can begin its important work and rein in rogue District Attorneys that refuse to uphold the rule of law in our state. If District Attorneys want to continue down this reckless road and put the interests of criminals ahead of law-abiding citizens, they will be held accountable,” Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said.
It comes as Trump sees some state charges dismissed and Willis faces scrutiny over hiring the prosecutor pursuing Trump, who she had a romantic relationship with.
The recent development in the Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump has seen Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee granting Trump and his co-defendants the opportunity to appeal his decision allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis to continue prosecuting the case.
McAfee’s ruling, which permits Trump and his allies to seek review by the Georgia Court of Appeals, underscores the significance of the decision regarding Willis’s involvement in the case.
The judge’s decision to grant the appeal reflects the gravity of the legal and procedural aspects surrounding the case, emphasizing the potential impact of this development on the trajectory of the proceedings.
The case has been marked by controversy, with the judge’s previous ruling denying the defense’s request to disqualify Willis from the case or dismiss the indictment over her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Wade later resigned, prompting McAfee’s decision to allow Willis to remain on the case, albeit with scathing rebukes for her conduct.
In response to the judge’s decision, Trump’s attorney, Steve Sadow, expressed optimism regarding the potential outcome of the appeal, indicating that the defense is hopeful that appellate review will lead to the case being dismissed and Willis being disqualified from the prosecution.
This underscores the significance of the appeal in potentially shaping the course of the legal proceedings.
The outcome of the Fani Willis case and the subsequent granting of Trump’s appeal by Judge McAfee are poised to have far-reaching implications for the legal landscape and the trajectory of the case.
The decision to allow the appeal represents a pivotal development in the ongoing legal saga, highlighting the intricacies and significance of the legal proceedings in the Georgia election interference case.
