Trump’s hush money trial delayed as prosecutor quits Georgia election case: Live

But only if the lead prosecutor and a former romantic partner she hired was willing to step down.

The judge overseeing the case against Mr Trump and more than a dozen of his allies rejected their attempts to dismiss the case and refused to disquality Ms Willis following hours of testimony and arguments over allegations that she financially benefited from Nathan Wade’s hiring.

A decision from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee on 15 March offered her a choice: she can remove herself from the case, along with her entire office, or Mr Wade can step aside.

Continue reading to find out what will likely happen next…

Kelly Rissman has the details and background to the judge’s decision:

Judge Juan Merchan wrote on Friday, 15 March that the trial would be postponed by 30 days from the date of his letter, meaning it would begin in mid-April.

“It defies logic for Fani Willis or Nathan Wade to remain on this case, considering the clear evidence of prosecutorial misconduct, including evidence of financial gain and providing untruthful testimony.

“This whole show-trial should concern every American, including those who won’t be voting for President Trump, because while they might be targeting President Trump and Mayor Giuliani today, they’ll eventually come for you too—that is the danger of remaining silent in the face of injustice. The encouraging news is that more and more Americans are waking up to the fact that this whole show trial is part of a larger effort to keep President Trump out of the White House and to silence his supporters.

“It’s a sad day in America. We are showing the world that the United States no longer has a fair system of justice.”

Ted Goodman, Political Advisor to Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Judge Juan Merchan has delayed Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York by 30 days.

A hearing on discovery issues raised by the defence will be held on 25 March — the original trial date — and jury selection will tentatively start on 15 April.

This is a developing story…

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has accepted the resignation of her outside prosecutor and former romantic partner who was hired to lead a sprawling criminal case against Donald Trump and his allies for their alleged scheme to overturn Georgia’s election results in 2020.

Nathan Wade’s notice arrived hours after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee determined that Ms Willis and her office should step aside or Mr Wade should withdraw following several days of hearings on allegations that she financially benefited from his hiring.

His letter to Ms Willis and her reply underscored Mr Trump’s alleged efforts to overthrow 2020 results and the years of work among prosecutors to get the case to trial, after they spent weeks hearing salacious allegations from Mr Trump and his allies that prosecutors argue were designed to embarrass them and distract from the case against the former president.

In an appearance on Fox News this afternoon, Donald Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence said he could not be endorsing his one-time boss.

“It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year,” he told Martha MacCallum.

While Mr Pence said he was proud of the record of the Trump administration, he said there were fundamental differences between him and the former president, not just over his constitutional role on 6 January 2021.

The former vice president then listed a litany of reasons in which Mr Trump had lost his vote — namely he was no longer pursuing a conservative agenda.

Mr Pence then declined to say who he would vote for in November but clarified it would not be for Joe Biden.

After remaining silent on the Judge Scott McAfee’s ruling for much of the day, Donald Trump has reacted to the news that Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade has resigned from the Fulton County election interference case.

Here’s what the former president wrote on Truth Social a few minutes ago:

The Fani Willis lover, Mr. Nathan Wade Esq., has just resigned in disgrace, as per his and her reading of the Judge’s Order today. Nathan was the “Special,” in more ways than one, Prosecutor “engaged” by Fani (pronounced Fauni!) Willis, to persecute TRUMP for Crooked Joe Biden and his Department of Injustice, for purposes of Election Interference and living the life of the Rich & Famous. This is the equivalent of Deranged Jack Smith getting “canned,” BIG STUFF, something which should happen in the not too distant future!!!

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has accepted Nathan Wade’s resignation.

Here is her response in full:

I received your resignation letter dated March 15, 2024, and I accept it, effective immediately. I compliment you for the professionalism and dignity you have shown over the last 865 days, as you have endured threats against you and your family, as well as unjustified attacks in the media and in court on your reputation as a lawyer.

I will always remember — and will remind everyone — that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgia’s 2020 Presidential Election. Others who were considered were understandably concerned for the safety of themselves and their families that would arise from their acceptance of your role. You were the one who had the courage to accept the role, even though you did not seek it.

You are an outstanding advocate. In the 865 days you served on this case you completed a thorough investigation that required the use of a Special Purpose Grand Jury to compel the testimony of witnesses inside and outside of Georgia, including litigating in eight states, the District of Columbia, and the United States Supreme Court to obtain critical testimony.

You led a team that secured a true bill of indictment against nineteen individuals who are accused of violating Georgia law to undermine the 2020 election for the former President of the United States. You have successfully litigated in the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to ensure that Fulton County citizens will be the jurors who decide justice in this case.

Please accept my sincere gratitude on behalf of the citizens of Fulton County Georgia for your patriotism, courage, and dedication to justice. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Fani T Willis District Attorney Atlanta Judicial Circuit

Here is Nathan Wade’s resignation letter, delivered to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis by hand:

Dear District Attorney Willis:

The furtherance of the rule of law and democracy is and has always been the North Star of our combined efforts in the prosecution of those who are alleged to have attempted to overthrow the results of Georgia’s 2020 Presidential Election. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that a Fulton County jury in a Fulton County courtroom renders a true and just verdict in this case.

As directed by the Order today in State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump, et al., 23SC 188947, I hereby offer my resignation, effective immediately, as Special Prosecutor for the Fulton County District Attorney’s office. Although the court found, that “the Defendants failed to meet their burden of proving that the District Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest,” I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible.

I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case. Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, and being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honor of a lifetime.

I am sure that the case, and the team, will be in good hands moving forward and justice will be served. You, the team on this case, and the entire office have my prayers for your safety and your success in the pursuit of justice.