Dem
51
GOP
49
Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over the Georgia RICO case, ruled that Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis may stay on the case if her former boyfriend, Nathan Wade, resigns. Wade resigned, so Willis can stay. Trump wants to appeal and McAfee ruled yesterday that Trump may do so. Trump's theory was that Willis hired Wade and in return he paid for their joint vacations. Willis then testified that she makes over $200,000 per year and does not need to have some man pay for her vacations. Wade testified that he was making more money in private practice than he is making working for Georgia. He could have paid for her vacations more easily working as a private lawyer. The idea that Willis hired Wade to get free vacations makes no sense and, even if it was true, would not have a negative impact on Trump.
Trump's lawyers know that Trump will lose because Georgia law is fairly specific about what constitutes a conflict of interest and hiring your boyfriend or girlfriend doesn't clear the bar. What matters is whether the rights of the defendant are compromised in any way. Trump doesn't care if he loses. He just wants to stall and delay the trial until after the election. This particular delay may not actually do much because Willis needs to find a new lead prosecutor and get him or her up to speed and that can happen during the appeal process.
When Trump loses the appeal, we expect his lawyers to think of something else. Sometimes we have suggestions for Democrats, so it is only fair that we sometimes offer suggestions for Republicans. We suggest that after the appeal is lost, all of Trump's lawyers come to court barefoot. McAfee will instantly rule that is not allowed. Then the lawyers can file an appeal. Of course, they will lose, but winning is not the point. Delay is the point. After that, the lawyers could come in smoking smelly cigars and appeal that ruling, too. Then they could try to add a first-year law student who hasn't taken the bar exam to the team. There are endless things they could do that McAfee would smack down and which they could say they want to appeal. (V)