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At a meeting on Friday, a Republican-led state Senate committee looking into the district attorney of Fulton County’s handling of the case against former President Donald Trump—who is at the center of a high-profile legal battle over election meddling—did not show up. An continuing inquiry into Willis’s role and the wider ramifications of the election case has reached a significant milestone with her absence.
The Senate committee, chaired by Republican State Senator Bill Cowsert, had issued a subpoena for Willis to provide sworn testimony. However, Willis’ attorney, former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, argued that the subpoenas are legally questionable and asserted that Willis would not comply until a court has reviewed their validity. “Fani Willis will not appear until there has been a judicial determination of the validity of the subpoena,” Barnes told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
At the hearing, Cowsert criticized Willis for defying the subpoena but indicated that the committee would be open to her appearance in the future. Despite her absence, the committee continued its proceedings, addressing other issues and hearing from additional witnesses.
Earlier this year, the Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations was established to investigate Willis’s alleged wrongdoings. In order to rebuild public trust in the criminal justice system, the committee intends to closely examine how she handled the case and consider possible modifications to laws or policies. Cowsert made it clear that the committee is just tasked with looking into claims of misconduct; it is not empowered to remove Willis from the election case or bring charges against her.
Willis’ case against Trump and 18 others involves charges of racketeering and other offenses related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. The case has been a focal point in the broader debate over election integrity and legal accountability. Notably, four defendants in the case have already reached plea deals and agreed to testify against others.
Judge Scott McAfee decided in March that Willis or prosecutor Nathan Wade had to recuse themselves from the case because of a “significant appearance of impropriety” resulting from Wade and Willis’s previous sexual involvement. Wade has resigned as of late.
As the Senate committee continues its investigation, a Georgia court of appeals has temporarily paused the election interference case, pending a decision on whether Willis can remain involved. Oral arguments on this matter are scheduled for December 5, a month after the upcoming presidential election.