Below is my column in the New York Post on the ruling in the Willis/Wade controversy. The references to the decision as “Solomonic” or “Solomonesque” might not be fair to King Solomon. Indeed, the comparison only highlights what is missing in Willis: an overriding interest in the case as opposed to their own position. While the court gave Willis two options (to transfer the case or remove her former lover), there is a third option: step aside.
Here is the column:
Many commentators reviewing the decision of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to disqualify lead Special Counsel Nathan Wade but not Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis as “Solomonic” or “splitting the baby” in the Trump prosecution.
Indeed, it was similar in all but one respect. The baby at issue before King Solomon survived. That whole point of the story was not to kill the baby but to see which of the two women loved the baby more.
In the story from 1 Kings 3:16–28, two mothers claim the male child who Solomon declares that each can get one half. One mother immediately accepts while the second woman begs him to just give the first woman the child and not to kill him.
Solomon immediately gives the second woman the child as clearly the mother who loves the baby.
But if either Wade or Willis truly loved “their baby” — the case against Trump — they would have removed themselves weeks ago.
Their personal controversies have derailed the case and mired the prosecution in scandal. Ethically, this should not have been a difficult question. They should have stepped aside.
That conclusion is more than evident in Judge McAfee’s decision, which shreds their claims on the stand and outside of the courthouse.
The court describes Willis’s controversial speech at a church as “’playing the race card . . . to cast racial aspersions at an indicted Defendant’s decision to file this pretrial motion.”
He hammers Willis for her lack of professional judgment and stresses, with perhaps an unintentional pun, that “providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into.”
Judge McAfee also indicates that the testimony of Wade failed to resolve questions of filing false statements to a prior court and that his testimony on when the relationship began stood contradicted.
McAfee has done a fair job throughout the case. Moreover, he makes a valid point when he notes that this evidence does not establish a strong basis for claiming that the case was brought or pursued due to this relationship or possible financial gain.
Indeed, the purpose of this case was not personal but political.
While the indictments contain some valid criminal charges, they are largely minor offenses like unlawful access to voting areas. The overall racketeering claim used to ensnarl Trump is forced and weak.
The problem is that the Court casts doubt on Wade’s testimony on the relationship, but ignores that Willis effectively ratified those claims in her own testimony.
Willis and Wade are both prosecuting people for the very same conduct of filing false statements with courts and making false statements. The two lawyers testified in tandem but only one was disqualified.
McAfee is no Solomon in this decision. He splits the accused to avoid making the harder decision.
If he disqualified Willis, he likely would have had to disqualify her entire office. That would throw the entire case (and certainly the pre-election schedule) into doubt. So he left her with the choice:
“The prosecution of this case cannot proceed until the State selects one of two options. The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office, and refer the prosecution to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council for reassignment. Alternatively, SADA Wade can withdraw, allowing the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case.”
He is leaving Wade with no choice at all beyond an appeal. However, Willis will be allowed to place her own interests as the overriding purpose of the prosecution.
In some ways, it is a result that should please no one other than Donald Trump.
The defense removed the lead special prosecutor while leaving Willis carrying more baggage than Amtrak.
It does not, however, serve the interests of justice. Willis will now prosecute defendants for false statements as her own questionable testimony is likely to be investigated by the state and the bar.
She could still be effectively removed or disqualified. That prospect does not appear to give Willis pause.
It is not too late for Willis to act professionally in best interests of her office and the people of Fulton County. She can step aside in light of the damning findings of the court. Otherwise, like the first woman in the trial with Solomon, she would rather see the baby sawed in half than give it up entirely.
Jonathan Turley is an attorney and professor at George Washington University Law School.
‘Stepping Aside’ was my first thought when I read the ruling.
Not just because Her hands are not clean, but because Nathan Wade was doing the dirty-work of 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬. and getting paid quite handsomely for it, and She knew it and approved it.
𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬:
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: 𝐁𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐀 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬
While much recent attention has been focused on the sordid love affair between Willis and Nathan Wade, the lead “investigator” looking into alleged Trump interference in the 2020 election, one office staffer has been widely ignored…until now. That man is 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬.
According to sources, DiSantis was an integral part of Willis’s 2020 district attorney campaign and the former executive director of the Democrat Party of Georgia. In that position, DiSantis had “extensive knowledge of campaign finance law,” Breitbart said. Moreover, DiSantis also served as Deputy Director of Compliance for the Democratic National Committee, according to his official bio:
Jeff has also worked for candidates in 30 states running for a variety of offices, including President of the United States, United States Senator, Governor, United States Representative, District Attorney, and Mayor, as well as for a national political party committee. He has served as a campaign manager, media consultant, pollster, press spokesman, research director, and policy advisor.
The confidential sources told Breitbart that DiSantis actively colluded with the White House to target the Republican presidential frontrunner, Donald Trump.
By: Pat Droney 2024-02-27 Source: Law Enforcement Today
https://lawenforcementtoday.com/breitbart-exclusive-biden-white-house-planted-operative-inside-the-fulton-county-da-office-of-fani-willis
Ref.:
Jeff DiSantis
Deputy District Attorney, Media Relations Division
https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/fulton-county-departments/district-attorney/da-executive-team/media-relations-division/jeff-disantis
Fanny Willis will saw the baby in half, eat both halves, pay the hazardous waste crew with cash to clean up, then go to the Black church to speak at fundraiser for the creation of a reward for finding the lost baby.
Dahyum bruh! that was awesome
🎯
“Ethics” is of NO concern for sociopaths like all these rogue operators prosecuting Trump.
THEY are the criminals who belong in prison. Every last one of them.
Fani is an entitled DEI hire with a bad attitude and far too much power.
Fani is completely unhinged and untethered to anything called “ethics.”
She can’t ‘do the right thing’ if she has no idea what that is.
She should be removed, prosecuted, disbarred and sent to prison.
Nathan Wade should be prosecuted, forced to return the $700k and stripped of his license.
The entire case should be tossed out.
That’s what *should* happen IF we had rule of law and a functioning justice system… which we do not.
Instead the judge outrageously rules: Miss Fani, carry on. You may proceed with your prosecution.
Our so-called ‘justice system’ is teetering on full collapse.
Perhaps the professor can comment on whether or not Georgia’s Senate Bill 92 which was signed into law by Governor Kemp on May 5, 2023 would permit him, the state attorney general, or the 8-member Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to remove DA Willis from the case based on the judge’s findings.
JT says..
“Indeed, the purpose of this case was not personal but political.
While the indictments contain some valid criminal charges, they are largely minor offenses like unlawful access to voting areas. The overall racketeering claim used to ensnarl Trump is forced and weak.”
First of all “the indictments contain some valid criminal charges” So valid criminal charges means it’s political? or its not political because there are valid charges? Which is it? Can’t cut that one in half JT.
Minor offenses? Give me a break. The sitting president concocted a plan to have people swear trump was the winner when he wasn’t. trump called up the Sec of State of Georgia and pressured him to find 11,000 votes. Just fine me the votes, can’t you do that for little old me? This was the worst action by a sitting president in the history of our country and JT says “minor offenses”.
Sheesh.
If you seriously think the alleged comment about finding votes was the first time such a statement was made by a sitting President, you’re nuts.
I never said it was the first. I have no idea. What I do know is trump tried a whole host of things to stay in power after he lost an election. That is a first in our history. trump is a seditionist, the thousand+ people that ransacked our capitol at his behest are seditionists. And for the life of me, do not understand why anyone would want this convicted criminal who is now on the hook for hundreds of millions for the fraud and defamation he has done, why want this fascist, racist, A hole for president, that the has the IQ of a snail.
I don’t know what Professor Turley invokes Solomon into this case. Solomoronic would be far more accurate.
But, as a public service, I will translate “Judge” Willis’s decision:
“I am not about to destroy my political career by doing the right thing. And I checked my integrity and ethics at the door long before I thought of doing this judge gig. At any rate, here is my decision. I rule that the program to “Get Trump” must be continued as that is what the DNC wants. And I know where my bread is buttered. But I have to make it look like I’m actually making a decision based on the law when the law has nothing to do with it. So here goes.
“Fani Willis should remove her boyfriend Nathan Wade as the special prosecutor to create a false image of independence, where none exists. However, Ms. Willis is free to hire Nathan Wade as a consultant at whatever rate she and he agrees to. She may even pay him with cash she keeps at her house. And no billing records are required, as those can always be fabricated later if necessary. As for Ms. Willis’s lies under oath, I don’t have a problem with that as long as the lies appear reasonably consistent. She generally keeps a straight face when she lies and that is good enough for me. That is my final decision and order.
“And I look forward to winning the next election. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to go work in the private sector as an attorney as I’d actually have to apply the law properly and present genuine evidence, unless I got lucky and got a Democrat judge with links to the DNC.”
Judge McAfee reminds me of the judge in “Miracle on 34th Street.”
That was a comedy. Unfortunately, our justice system is a tragedy.
Ha-ha. Sort of. Remember in that classic 1947 (original) version of the film how Judge Harper (Gene Lockhart) would always look in the direction of Charlie Halloran (William Frawley) for confirmation that he’s making the right decision? Halloran was the political boss and was shaking his head when Judge Harper was getting into trouble and would nod when he made the right call. And when he made his final ruling, Halloran gave him a strong nod of approval.
What a sad day for our country and also for the Judge. He is certainly not a Solomon but more than that — he is not a man of courage. There seems to be little justice when politics are at stake. One only had to watch Willis on the stand and you knew the obvious — this was a hunt for Trump. Sadly, the country’s reputation is now diminished by those in the State of George who have cast dispersions on the law. For the Dems who rejoice, little do they know that the consequences of this decision is the future they have wrought! Life has a funny way of turn tables so we will see what the future holds but our decline is hastened by people like this Judge, and lawyers that obviously fear their friends more than their own morality.
Oh, more good news!
Let’s begin with a series of news headlines that show Chilean crime gangs have been on a nationwide burglary spree, targeting wealthy neighborhoods from coast to coast:
NBC7 San Diego: “Chilean break-in crew is back, and burglaries are on the rise in La Jolla”
Fox 2 Detroit: “High-end Michigan burglaries tied to Chilean crime ring, prompts police task force”
NBC 10 Philadelphia: “Another Chilean man arrested as Montco targeted by ‘South American Theft Groups'”
ABC 7 Los Angeles: “OC judge throws out plea deal in case involving alleged Chilean burglary ring”
NBC 12 Scottsdale: “‘These are professionals’: Latest arrests in East Valley burglary cases tied to Chilean crime ring”
Oklahoma News 4: “Million-dollar OKC homes burglarized, possibly connected to Chilean crime ring”
ZeroHedge: “South American Gangs Target Dozens Of Mansions In Detroit”
AP News: “3 Chilean nationals accused of burglarizing high-end Michigan homes”
Vanity Fair: “Thieves in the Night: A Vast Burglary Ring From Chile Has Been Targeting Wealthy U.S. Households”
(bestest of all, – The latest crime spree these Chilean gangs went on was in wealthy neighborhoods in upper Baltimore County, Maryland. )
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/south-american-gangs-target-mansions-baltimore-bidens-border-crisis-spreads-chaos
It’s called “weaponized migration” … made possible by Biden…
and enabled by every level of our own captured and corrupt U.S. government.
Make no mistake, the government could stop it IF they wanted to…
This is an interesting development. I am not so sure I agree with good Professor that the Judge did not do Justice in this case. Regardless of the eventual outcome for Trump, the case is now badly damaged. Willis is put into a truly bad position of her own making. If she falls on her own sword, she both looks like she did something wrong and her office pays the price. Not only that, another prosecutor might kick the case out. Willis cannot have that, so she stays, but she is now badly damaged and her being called out by the judge makes her case even tougher to start with the entire time Trump lawyers screening loudly about the train wreck of a prosecution case. She can still lose the case. BTW, does anyone think her boyfriend the Special Prosecutor is forgotten about?
If I was Fani Willis, I would be worried about what is coming for me in the end. She has badly tarnished her position and at least has shown an appearance of impropriety.
Hard to watch the country my forefathers fought and died for go through this assault on our freedoms. We have strayed so far from our values.
“In some ways, it is a result that should please no one other than Donald Trump.”
Exactly what I said earlier! I like this decision! Fani will heave Wade overboard, and her very lousy, stinking presence will taint the whole case. What better person to be a prosecutor than a dumb, lying, greedy idiot like Fani! I am ROTFLMAO!
However, I look for the Defendants to appeal, and I think there is enough there to overturn McAfee. Plus, the State is now investigating Miss Fani, and that ought to be a hoot!
I hope that Willis step will do the right thing and step aside, but I don’t think that she will. This coordinated effort to destroy a political opponent is outrageous. At least in NYS, Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has filed an ethics complaint against Letitia James. Perhaps it will occur to somebody in Georgia, that complaints should be filed against Willis and Wade. Then, prosecution for perjury might be in order too. I went to law school because I care deeply about justice. It’s difficult to watch these shenanigans.
Perhaps it will occur to Chris Carr, Georgia’s Attorney General.
I couldn’t say it better, Catherine.
Well this seriously wounds the prosecution and if there is a jury that is halfway unbiased then the case would end up with just the minor offenses. It also lays the groundwork for an appeal due to the shortcomings of the prosecution and the judge. Consider on appeal the prosecutor and judge could be judged as having irredeemable conflicts of interests and the case fully overturned. An especially pungent brew is boiling in Fulton County.
Dishonesty disqualifies, you win the race but lose the prize.
Bonnie & Clyde
Bonnie just dumped Clyde…
why is it Democrat criminals never go to jail?
While Trump jump through hoop after hoop…1000’s of obvious crimes be Democrats never get punished
Time for the Republicans to START Cutting money from government…50% Federal Spending, end all aid to cities, states, collleges and non-profits
The Beasts are too BIG
“Step aside” is a behavior from a long-gone time of public propriety & decency. You’ve revealed yourself to be an old-world man, Mr. Turley. A man from a time when honor in public service mattered. A time when people stepped aside from public service when old and infirm. When people stepped aside because of scandal. When people stepped aside out of shame. Today nobody, it seems, steps aside for any reason.
Yep, that kind of stuff went out the door with Bill “BJ” Clinton!
Judge McAfee should have (must) recused himself from this case due to his own conflict of interest in that he use to work for Fani Willis and had donated to her reelection campaign! He should be referred to the Georgia Bar Association for violations of Professional Rules of Conduct!
Perhaps our DOJ will get right on that…
The ends ALWAYS justify the ends when it comes to prog/left dems. They will grasp at the open air as they go over the Reichenbach Falls before they will concede to Trump.
Love the reference!
Whimsicalmama, it wouldn’t take Sherlock Holmes to deduce that Fani and Wade were having their affair before she hired him.
Did or didn’t Willis and Wade perjure themselves and did or didn’t they raid the chauffeurs for their own benefit? No wonder no one has any faith in our legal system anymore.
What legal system?? The law is dead now. And they wonder WHY gun sales are going through the roof, and and Trump is so popular?? We aren’t blind. If they can do this to Trump, we have NO chance at fairness and real justice.