Fani Willis returns to the stand after sparring with lawyers over misconduct allegations in the Trump election case.
The Fulton County, Georgia, district attorney’s office is expected to call at least three new witnesses to the stand on Friday, including Willis’ father.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is set to resume her bombshell testimony Friday in a hearing that threatens to derail the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump.
The district attorney’s office plans to introduce three new witnesses, one of whom is Willis’ father. They’re also opposing a request for Willis’ airline records. The allegations focus on who funded trips Willis took with the lead prosecutor in the Trump case.
An attorney representing one of Trump’s co-defendants mentioned that Willis’ Delta Air Lines records might reveal undisclosed trips taken by Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade. There are claims suggesting that Willis may have personally benefited from their relationship. These attorneys are confronting allegations of misconduct, which could result in Willis being removed from the case.
In a surprise move on Thursday, Willis decided to testify after initially trying to avoid it. This happened when a former friend challenged the timing of her relationship with Wade. Willis admitted earlier this month that she had a personal relationship with Wade but said it was not improper.
I’m not the one in trouble here,” Willis asserted firmly on Thursday during a heated exchange with lawyers representing Trump and his co-defendants. “They’re the ones accused of trying to steal the 2020 election. No matter what they say, I’m not the one in trouble.
Robin Yeartie, who knew Willis from college and worked in the district attorney’s office until 2022, suggested that Willis and Wade may have been romantically involved as early as November 2021, which contradicts their earlier sworn statement. However, during Thursday’s testimony, both prosecutors maintained that their relationship began in “early 2022” and ended last year. Wade also testified that Willis reimbursed him in cash for trips, which Trump and his co-defendants claim as evidence of her financial benefit from their relationship.
If Willis is removed, it would cause big problems for the racketeering case against Trump. Finding a new legal team would take time, making it unlikely for a trial to happen before the November presidential election.
During his testimony, Wade reiterated his earlier claim that he and Willis began their relationship in early 2022, as stated in his affidavit. However, Bryant-Yeartie, a friend of Willis, contradicted this, stating she witnessed them being affectionate in late 2019. Bryant-Yeartie also mentioned that Willis had mentioned dating Wade in 2020 and 2021.
There was discussion regarding whether Wade cheated on his ex-wife. Wade asserted that his marriage was irreparably broken since 2015, allowing him to date Willis freely.
After Wade’s testimony concluded, Willis quickly made her way to the court. She described, “I was pacing in my office, and I heard someone say his testimony is done… so it only made sense to me that I would be your next witness.” This unexpected action added excitement to the day’s events.
On Thursday, Willis testified for hours during the hearing. She discussed repaying Wade in cash for their shared trips and provided detailed answers about the timeline of their relationship.
In August, Willis accused Trump and 18 others of attempting to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Four have admitted guilt, but Trump, facing 13 charges, maintains his innocence.
Thursday’s events created a significant distraction from the charges against Trump for now. The hearing in Atlanta shifted attention away from Trump’s legal troubles, but it didn’t change the allegations against him, Giuliani, Meadows, and others accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election.
Earlier, a New York judge set a trial date for Trump’s hush-money case, but the focus quickly shifted back to Atlanta due to the dramatic testimony being broadcast nationwide. Unlike in New York, cameras are allowed in Georgia courtrooms.
Despite the distraction, Trump’s legal woes aren’t over. Another New York judge is expected to decide on a civil fraud case against him on Friday, which could result in a hefty fine and a ban on doing business in New York.