Judge extends deadline for new prosecutor in Trump election case

In Georgia, a judge has recently granted an extension regarding the appointment of a new prosecutor in the ongoing election interference case involving President Donald Trump and others. Originally, the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia was given a mere two weeks to appoint a replacement for District Attorney Fani Willis, but due to the intricate nature of the case, the deadline has now been moved to November 14, 2025. Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee made this decision after receiving a request from the council, which highlighted challenges in obtaining the necessary case files and managing additional cases waiting for prosecutor assignments. The council's executive director, Pete Skandalakis, noted that his office had not yet received the physical case files, which are essential for reviewing the case and finding a prosecutor without conflicts of interest. He requested either a reconsideration of the order or an extension of 90 days after receiving the files to properly conduct due diligence in appointing a new prosecutor. In light of these requests, Judge McAfee decided to extend the deadline, albeit not to the full extent requested by the council. This decision comes amid objections from some defendants, who argue that the case has taken too long to progress. The case has gained significant attention due to its implications on Trump's political future and the broader electoral process in the United States. Trump and 18 co-defendants, including prominent figures like former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. They are accused of soliciting state officials and spreading false claims about the election, following Trump’s controversial phone call to Georgia's Secretary of State. Moreover, the backdrop of this case involves the controversial removal of Fani Willis from her post when defense attorneys claimed that her romantic relationship with a co-prosecutor constituted a conflict of interest. Although the judge chose not to find a significant conflict, the Georgia Court of Appeals ultimately removed Willis after deeming there was an appearance of impropriety. Following the high court's decision, the responsibility to appoint a new prosecutor fell to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council, leading to the current situation where the extension has been put in place. The recently extended deadline aims to facilitate the selection of a qualified prosecutor to represent the state effectively in one of the most complex cases in American political history. The outcome of this case not only impacts those directly involved but also holds significant implications for the electoral integrity moving forward.