Lead prosecutor steps aside from Trump prosecution

On Friday embattled Georgia prosecutor, Nathan Wade, has stepped aside from the prosecution of Donald J. Trump (R) on allegations that the former President unlawfully entered into a conspiracy with more than a dozen of his team to overturn the Georgia 2020 election results.

"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," Wade wrote in his statement. "I am sure that the case, and the team, will be in good hands moving forward and justice will be served."

Wade's resignation followed a ruling by Judge Scott McAfee that Wade should resign. McAfee said that Wade's romance with his boss, Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis presented the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Willis accepted her former boyfriend's resignation with a letter.

"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," Willis wrote. "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."

Now that Wade has left the prosecution team, Trump's trial can begin. A trial date has not been set.

McAfee had ruled that either Willis or Wade must leave the prosecution.

The couple went on long extravagant vacations together even though Willis and Wage had an employer-employee relationship – a relationship that is not allowed for senior state employees under Georgia law. Trump's defense team had sought for Willis to be removed from the case.

Willis is the subject of an ongoing ethics investigation in Georgia that could still result in her being removed from this case. She could ultimately be removed from this case and even her law license could potentially be in jeopardy.

Willis claims that Trump's efforts to have the Georgia electoral results overturned amount to election interference and she has charged the former President and 18 members of his team with racketeering related charges.

Trump's defense team maintains that his criticism of the election results is constitutionally protected free political speech and is thus protected under the U.S. Constitution.

Four of Trump's 17 alleged co-conspirators have already agreed to plead guilty. Presumably they will testify against Trump and the other members of his team if and when this case ever goes to trial.

Trump won the Republican primary in Georgia in a landslide on Tuesday. The win, and others that day, gives Trump enough committed delegates that he has secured the Republican nomination for President for the third time in a row.

Original reporting by the Hill and Newsweek contributed to this report.

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