The Georgia Court of Appeals has tentatively scheduled oral arguments on former President Donald Trump’s appeal of the Fani Willis disqualification ruling for October, making it almost certain that Trump will not see trial in his Georgia election interference case before the 2024 election.
The date for oral arguments on the issue is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 4, according to a docket notice that was sent to defense counsel in the case.
“A calendar will be sent to counsel of record confirming the exact date of oral argument,” the notice says.
The appeals court agreed last month to take up Trump’s appeal.
Trump and his codefendants are appealing the ruling that allowed Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, to remain on the election case after it was discovered she had a romantic relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade. He resigned from the case as a result of the ruling.
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The judge in the case, Scott McAfee, has previously vowed to keep the case moving forward while the issue is on appeal.
Former President Donald Trump attends UFC 302 at Prudential Center on June 1, 2024, in Newark, N.J.
Luke Hales/Getty Images
ABC News contributor and former Georgia prosecutor Chris Timmons said the October hearing date means it is all but certain that Trump won’t go to trial before the 2024 election.
Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty last August to all charges in a sweeping racketeering indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia. Defendants Kenneth Chesebro, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and Scott Hall subsequently took plea deals in exchange for agreeing to testify against other defendants.
The former president has blasted the district attorney’s investigation as being politically motivated.
Former President Donald Trump is facing yet another legal battle as he prepares for an appeal hearing with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in October. This hearing could potentially delay his trial until after the upcoming election, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation into his business dealings.
The appeal hearing stems from a ruling by Superior Court Judge Christopher Brasher, who recently ordered Trump to testify under oath in a civil investigation led by Willis. The investigation is looking into whether Trump and his company, the Trump Organization, committed financial crimes such as bank fraud and insurance fraud.
Trump’s legal team has been fighting the order to testify, arguing that it violates his constitutional rights and could potentially incriminate him in the criminal investigation. The appeal hearing will determine whether or not Trump will be required to testify, and if so, when that testimony will take place.
If the appeal hearing results in a delay of the trial until after the election, it could have significant implications for both Trump and the political landscape. Trump has been teasing a potential run for president in 2024, and a criminal trial could severely impact his chances of mounting a successful campaign.
Additionally, the timing of the trial could also have an impact on the upcoming midterm elections, with Republicans potentially using the trial as a rallying cry against what they see as politically motivated prosecution.
Overall, Trump’s appeal hearing with Fani Willis is shaping up to be a crucial moment in his legal battle. The outcome of the hearing could determine the timeline of his trial and have far-reaching implications for both his political future and the broader political landscape. As the date of the hearing approaches, all eyes will be on Fulton County as this high-stakes legal drama unfolds.
