American electoral race - Election fraud investigations paused temporarily in favor of Donald Trump's success.
In the US state of Georgia, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump saw another court victory. The election fraud case against him has been temporarily frozen by the appeals court on Wednesday. Trump aims to regain the presidency in the upcoming November elections. To continue, a ruling is needed to determine whether the primary prosecutor Fani Willis can keep conducting her investigations, according to the court. The three appellate judges appointed by Republicans have until March 2025 to make their decision in the case, with the first hearing slated for October. Considering this, it's highly unlikely that Georgia's legal process will begin before the presidential election.
Prosecutor's allegations
Trump's legal team and other defendants are accusing prosecutor Fani Willis of exploiting a relationship with another prosecutor in the case, Nathan Wade. They claim Wade was overpaid and invited Willis on luxury vacations. Willis denies these allegations.
In March, Judge Scott McAfee found the evidence provided by the other side insufficient to suggest a conflict of interest in Willis. Nonetheless, Wade stepped down, citing "an appearance of impropriety." Trump's side filed an appeal, which the court approved in May. However, McAfee initially decided to let the proceedings continue while the appeals court's ruling was pending.
Trump and other defendants are accused of trying to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential elections in Georgia and overturn the result. Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden at the time. They're alleged to have exerted pressure on federal and state political officials, including those in Georgia.
Trump's attorneys seeking delay
With the appeals court's interim decision, the case has now been put on hold. If the three judges rule in favor of Willis, it could potentially dismantle the entire case. It's also unclear what would happen if Trump wins the US presidency again in November. Trump's legal team is utilizing a delaying strategy - not only in Georgia.
Following Trump's conviction for illegal campaign financing in New York, which made him the first former US president in a criminal trial, the progress of the two other criminal cases against him is up in the air. His lawyers have skillfully postponed them through legal tactics.
In Florida, the trial date for the case involving the possession of classified government documents has been indefinitely postponed. In the election fraud case in Washington, a decision from the highest US court is still pending. This case necessitates the Supreme Court deciding his immunity from prosecution. This ruling could also impact the ones in Georgia and Florida. The Supreme Court, as the highest US court, is mostly composed of judges appointed by the Republicans.
The New York legal conviction is not yet legally binding. Trump satisfies the constitutional requirements for presidential candidates - US citizenship, at least 35 years old, and living in the US for 14 years. He could even run for office while imprisoned.
The final sentence in the New York case will be announced on July 11th. It's considered improbable that Trump will go to prison. He benefits from never having been convicted in a criminal case before. The judge could impose a house arrest, a fine, or community service instead of sentencing him. Trump's lawyer has already announced an appeal of the verdict.
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In the midst of the upcoming November elections in the USA, the US state of Georgia continues to be a focus point in former President Donald Trump's bid to regain the presidency. The temporary pause in the election fraud case against him by the appeals court has added a twist to the situation.
Regardless of the eventual outcome of the legal proceedings, the case against Donald Trump in Georgia has the potential to influence the presidential election, as a ruling is needed to determine whether prosecutor Fani Willis can continue her investigations.
