ATLANTA, GA —
Big news arrived from the Fulton County courthouse as a judge has dismissed two charges against former President Donald Trump and another charge against a co-defendant in the ongoing election interference case in Georgia.
Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee made the significant ruling, stating that Georgia prosecutors lacked the authority to bring the charges tied to accusations of false documents being filed in federal court. Specific details about the third charge being dismissed for another individual are still under wraps.
In his written decision, McAfee remarked, “Because Counts 14, 15, and 27 lie beyond this State’s jurisdiction and must be quashed, the Defendants’ motions to dismiss the indictment under the Supremacy Clause are granted in part.” Even though these counts were nixed, the bulk of the 41-count indictment still stands.
Breaking Down the Charges
Trump, along with 18 others, faced multiple charges back in August 2023, related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. The indictment followed claims that Trump tried to interfere after losing the election to the current President, Joe Biden.
Among the charges, Trump was initially hit with accusations such as violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), several counts of solicitation to violate an oath by a public officer, and various conspiracy charges, including some that involved committing forgery and submitting false documents.
In an earlier twist, back in March, McAfee also quashed six counts of solicitation to violate the oath by a public officer against Trump and others, including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, and several attorneys.
After Thursday’s ruling, Trump’s attorney Steven Sadow commented, “President Trump and his legal team in Georgia have prevailed once again.”
What’s Next for the Case?
The case now hangs in the balance as an appellate court schedules a December hearing to consider an appeal aiming to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. This follows a decision in March ruling that either top prosecutor Nathan Wade or Willis must step back due to appearances of a romantic link between them, though McAfee noted no actual conflict.
Wade has since stepped away from the case.
As for Trump, he’s keeping busy on the campaign trail, eyeing a second presidential term in the upcoming November 5 general election. He recently scored his first debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, who stepped in as the Democratic contender following President Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July.
An official court date for Trump in this Georgia case has yet to be set. Stay tuned as more details unroll.
