Judge Scott McAfee has delivered his ruling on whether to disqualify Fani Willis from her own prosecution of Donald Trump in Fulton County, GA. According to the judge, Willis will be able to remain on the case but with a catch: For the troubled district attorney to stay in her position, she must fire Nathan Wade.

Wade is the prosecutor she had an affair with and hired above market rate. He and Willis infamously took lavish vacations together, which he put on his business credit card. No proof was ever produced that reimbursements were made.

BREAKING: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must either step aside or cut ties with her special prosecutor before the election interference case against Donald Trump can move forward, a judge ruled Fridayhttps://t.co/BNWhJSV450

— Tamar Hallerman (@TamarHallerman) March 15, 2024

The uproar over what some are calling a "cowardly decision" has already begun, though it is a blow to Willis that things even got this far.

Judge splits the baby. Obviously Wade will go and Fani will stay. It’s a cowardly decision by the judge but still a major win for this defense team https://t.co/QJCmBtuH3B

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) March 15, 2024

So, if I have this right, Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee decided to pull a James Comey, Robert Mueller, and Robert Hur:

Write a ruling saying Fani Willis and Nathan Wade are guilty as hell, have no ethics, and aren't good role models....BUT Fani can stay

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) March 15, 2024

Despite some proclamations by hopeful people on the right, the idea that these proceedings would lead to the case being dismissed was never realistic. That wasn't an outcome on the table, and had Willis been removed, the case would have continued. Her staying as the face of the prosecution after taking this blow is probably the best-case scenario for the Trump defense. Had Willis been booted, it would have been embarrassing for her, but it would have possibly allowed someone more qualified to take over. 

Unfortunately for Trump, this case isn't going away. Willis has been dirtied a bit, but eventually, the former president's defense will have to convince a jury these charges are a farce. The big question is whether the judge allows this to go to trial before the election, and if he doesn't, does it matter given it's a state case? 

This is uncharted territory, and things could get very chaotic if Trump wins in November but a provably corrupt state prosecutor continues to try to throw him in jail.

20240315 Order on Motion to Disqualify by Susie Moore on Scribd