Georgia Judge Dismisses Election Case Against Trump and Allies After Prosecutor Ends Pursuit

A Georgia judge has formally dismissed the state’s election interference case against President Donald Trump and several allies stemming from the 2020 election. The decision followed a request from special prosecutor Peter Skandalakis, who said dropping the case would serve the interests of justice and ensure finality.

Judge Scott McAfee signed the order Wednesday, ending the sweeping prosecution that originally charged Trump and 18 associates, including Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani, under Georgia’s racketeering law. Skandalakis, who replaced disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, said the actions described in the indictment were insufficient to sustain a racketeering conviction. He added that federal prosecution was more appropriate, noting that the strongest case had been pursued by former special counsel Jack Smith before it was dropped after Trump returned to the White House.

Trump’s legal team welcomed the development. Attorney Steve Sadow called the case a “political persecution,” while Trump described it as an “illegal and un-American hoax,” celebrating the dismissal on social media.

The Georgia case was one of four criminal prosecutions Trump faced after leaving office and marked the first time a former U.S. president was indicted. Two federal cases linked to the 2020 election and government documents were abandoned after Trump’s reelection, while a New York case resulted in 34 felony convictions, which he is currently appealing.

Progress in the Georgia trial had been slowed by controversy involving then-District Attorney Willis, who was removed from the case after revelations of her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The Georgia Court of Appeals ultimately ruled that disqualifying Willis was necessary to maintain public confidence.

Skandalakis assumed authority over the case earlier this month after others declined to take it on.