An Atlanta judge abruptly halted court proceedings Thursday after the lead Georgia prosecutor, Fani Willis, erupted angrily during her own testimony leading up to her trial against former President Donald Trump.
The sudden recess underscores accusations of misconduct against Willis — and an MSNBC analyst said the explosive accusations have killed the Georgia case against Trump. Willis and fellow prosecutor Nathan Wade are accused of lying on legal forms about a secret yearslong affair before Willis hired Wade to prosecute the 45th president.
When asked if Wade had visited her home, Willis reacted explosively.
“Let’s be clear because you’ve lied in this,” Willis exclaimed while brandishing documents. “This let me tell you which one you lied and right here. No, no, no, no, this is the truth. It is a lie.”
“We’re gonna take five minutes,” the judge quickly intervened. “We will back in five.”
Critics said Willis’ improper relationship with Wade enriched both of them through the taxpayer-funded case against the former president.
Willis will likely be removed from the case, MSNBC’s legal analyst Caroline Polisi predicted — delivering the former president a massive pre-trial victory.
Wade claimed their partnership began in 2022 only after Trump’s indictment.
But a college friend of Willis said under oath that their romantic ties date back to 2019, contradicting the prosecutors’ timeline. Wade also admitted the two had an affair earlier than previously revealed on the required legal forms.
Legal experts said that these revelations during Thursday’s bombshell hearing irreparably damaged the case.
Polisi, a former federal attorney, declared on MSNBC that the D.A.’s case against Trump is now “dead in the water.”
“Fani Willis and Nathan Wade lied to the Court. Game over. The case is DEAD,” Polisi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Polisi added that the removal of Willis seems certain, ensuring the case’s collapse through monthslong delays if transferred.
“I think the case is over,” Polisi said.
The embattled prosecutor argued that her affair with Wade had no impact on her judgment.
The former president has dominated the 2024 Republican presidential primary but hasn’t formally secured the Republican nomination yet.
Take a look —
"GAME OVER" for Fulton County DA Fani Willis, declares MSNBC legal analyst:
"This is epic. This is monumental. She will be disqualified. This is a huge deal." pic.twitter.com/m70i0wmezF
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 15, 2024