Georgia Prosecutor's Council Takes Over Trump Election Case

Sat Dec 20 2025 17:47:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Pete Skandalakis from the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia assumes control of the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump after DA Fani Willis was disqualified due to a conflict of interest.

Following the disqualification of Fulton County DA Fani Willis over a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia will lead the ongoing election interference case involving Donald Trump and others. The council faced challenges finding another prosecutor willing to take the case, and Skandalakis aims to ensure a transparent resolution to the proceedings. Trump is still protected from prosecution as president, but others involved face charges.

ATLANTA (AP) — In a significant shift in the ongoing legal battle, the leader of the nonpartisan Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, Pete Skandalakis, has announced that he will take over the high-profile Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump and several others. This development comes after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was disqualified due to a potential conflict of interest arising from a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she appointed.

Skandalakis revealed that he accepted the role to ensure that the case continues, stating, “The filing of this appointment reflects my inability to secure another conflict prosecutor to assume responsibility for this case.” He noted that multiple prosecutors were approached but declined to take the position.

While Trump, being the sitting president, is unlikely to face prosecution, 14 others involved in the case are still facing charges. This includes notable figures such as former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and Trump attorney.

After the Georgia Supreme Court declined to hear Willis’ appeal regarding her disqualification, the responsibility to appoint a new prosecutor fell upon the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council. Skandalakis now has the discretion to follow Willis’ prosecutorial vision or choose to scale back or dismiss the charges entirely.

“The public has a legitimate interest in the outcome of this case,” said Skandalakis, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the judicial process. His determination to move forward reflects a commitment to uphold the integrity of the legal proceedings and ensure that the case is resolved in the public interest.

Previously, Trump announced pardons for individuals accused of supporting his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, including those facing charges in Georgia. However, state charges against them remain unaffected. The extensive indictment issued in August 2023 highlighted a perceived conspiracy to illegally contest Trump’s narrow loss in Georgia to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, utilizing the state’s anti-racketeering law.

The case gained further notoriety as defense attorneys pursued Willis' removal, pointing to her romantic involvement with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor, as a conflict of interest. Despite initial support from the trial judge for Willis' position, she ultimately stepped down when presented with a directive from the court to maintain ethics in legal proceedings.

As the narrative continues to evolve, Skandalakis' role will be critical in navigating this complex landscape, with all eyes on how the case will unfold in the coming months.