Willis labors to keep her job — and keep prosecuting Trump
atlanta — On a recent morning, a group of Black faith leaders surrounded Fani t. Willis on the steps of Big Bethel amE church as the Fulton county district attorney accepted their endorsement in her bid for a second term.
Four months earlier, Willis had taken to the pulpit of this historic Black church for her first public appearance amid salacious allegations that she’d hired a romantic partner to lead the georgia criminal case against former president Donald trump. In what would be the opening salvo of her fight to maintain control of the case, she suggested racism was at the heart of attacks against her.
It has been nearly two months since a judge ruled Willis could continue prosecuting the trump case, as long as nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she’d appointed and had a romantic relationship with, resigned. But the drama stemming from that detour has lingered.
the georgia court of appeals last week agreed to review an appeal from trump and several of his co-defendants seeking to overturn the order keeping Willis on the case. the review reopens the uncertainty of whether Willis will maintain control of the historic criminal case, the biggest of her career, and makes it increasingly unlikely the case will go to trial before the november election.
First, Willis must face the judgment of her constituents as she seeks another four-year term.
In georgia’s Democratic primary on tuesday, Willis will face local attorney christian Wise Smith, who has said Willis “rightfully” brought charges against trump and his allies but has suggested her focus on that case has left Fulton county residents “vulnerable” and other cases “neglected.”
the heaviest attacks are likely to come ahead of the general election, when Willis, if she secures the Democratic nomination in tuesday’s primary, is expected to face courtney Kramer, a Republican lawyer who interned in the trump White house and was involved in trump’s efforts to reverse his 2020 loss in georgia. It is a longshot campaign in heavily Democratic Fulton county but one that could greatly amplify criticism of the district attorney and the trump case.
Willis, a longtime prosecutor known for her no-nonsense persona, has remained defiant amid the ongoing attacks and continued scrutiny of her sex life. She has strongly denied any wrongdoing and has insisted she’s not sorry or embarrassed about her relationship with Wade, which both have insisted had no impact on the election case.
amid criticism from Fulton county Superior court Judge Scott mcafee over her January speech at Big Bethel amE, Willis has largely curbed her public comments about the trump case, declining media interviews and a debate against her Democratic primary opponent.
ahead of tuesday’s primary, Willis launched a 30-second television ad, charting a moderate path between her efforts to combat gangs and violent crime while also emphasizing community outreach and crime reduction programs aimed at young people. the spot features footage of Willis and her father, a civil rights lawyer and former Black Panther, and touts a significant drop in violent crime in atlanta. there’s no mention of the trump case.
“I’m just getting started,” Willis says in the ad.
Even as she is viewed as the favorite for reelection, trump al
Washingtonnd lies in georgia and of state supreme have intensified their efforts to courts, to ensure that they are stymie Willis and her election composed of justices who are case. dedicated to interpreting the law in a neutral way, who will adhere to precedent and who will protect the fundamental rights of all citizens,” said Eric holder, the former attorney general who is chair of the redistricting group, in a statement announcing the joint venture.
Until recent years, state supreme court races were traditionally relatively nonpartisan affairs — in most states candidates are not officially affiliated with a political party — though partisan leanings could be gleaned from judicial rulings. But political interest in state supreme court races has exploded, culminating in a $50 million race for state Supreme court in Wisconsin last year.
WaShIngtOn POSt
Political groups join forces to focus on state high courts
two groups on the left with differing missions are joining forces to bolster their preferred candidates in state supreme court races in november, as such elections grow increasingly expensive and politically polarizing.
the two organizations — the national Democratic Redistricting committee, the Democrats’ arm in fighting for state and congressional maps; and Planned Parenthood votes, the political arm of the abortion health care organization — will initially target races in arizona, michigan, montana, north carolina, Ohio, and texas. the fund, with a budget of $5 million, will provide digital ads along with funding for canvassing and get-out-the-vote operations.
“Our aim is to protect the independence
A colorful street show rules outside Trump trial
nEW YORK — the trial of former president trump has drawn the eyes of the world to the dim hallways and dingy courtrooms inside the manhattan criminal courthouse. Outside is new York at its most colorful.
gawkers, demonstrators, politicians, and hustlers gather in collect Pond Park, a square plot of cement and trees across centre Street from the courthouse’s front doors.
although the crowds have been smaller than police prepared for, each day has featured someone creating a spectacle. there have been arrests and a shocking self-immolation. Republican officials have recently used the park to praise the defendant at news conferences.
Often, the intent is lighthearted. as an antidote to the intensity inside the courtroom, amateur puppeteers turned up with doppelgangers of the defendant early on the morning of may 9.
as she stood in line waiting to attend the court proceedings, Rose Brennan, 63, of Bernardsville, n.J., had her left hand inside Donald J. Puppet, an orange athletic sock with button eyes and yellow yarn hair.
Brennan, who is retired after working in the software industry, made her creation say: “You’re the puppet!”
“he wanted to come and support his brother puppet,” Brennan said.
David Webber, a self-proclaimed most-successful-sexcapsule-salesman in Idaho, Utah, and nevada, hoped in vain to have a moment with the defendant.
“I drove all the way here to meet trump,” shouted Webber, 68, who had traveled from his home in las vegas via mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Fla.
he said april 25 that he believed trump would invite him to speak at rallies. Webber, who said he was a former pool shark, cocaine dealer, and professional skier, thinks he is a better campaigner than the former president himself.
“he rambles,” Webber said. “he tells the same old jokes to the same old people. It’s getting boring.” (he added quickly that he was still trump’s “biggest fan.”)