On November 14, 2025, a new chapter began in the high-profile Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump and several of his allies. The case, which has captured national attention for over two years, took a dramatic turn when Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, announced he would personally take over the prosecution following the removal of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The saga, already marked by legal intrigue and political tension, now faces renewed scrutiny as Skandalakis undertakes a comprehensive review of the evidence and decides how to proceed.
According to The Associated Press, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia was tasked with finding a replacement after Willis was disqualified due to an "appearance of impropriety" stemming from her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she had chosen to lead the case. The controversy erupted in early 2024 when defense attorneys revealed the relationship, alleging that Willis personally benefited from the case through vacations paid for by Wade. During a highly publicized hearing, both Willis and Wade testified about their personal relationship, insisting that their romance began only after Wade’s appointment and that they shared expenses for their trips. Despite their testimony, the court found that the relationship created an appearance of impropriety, ultimately leading to Willis’ removal from the case.
The fallout from Willis’ disqualification left the case in limbo. Several prosecutors were contacted to take over, but all declined the appointment, as Skandalakis explained in a statement: "Several prosecutors were contacted and, while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment." Facing the possibility that the case could be dismissed if no one stepped forward, Skandalakis decided to accept the responsibility himself. "The public has a legitimate interest in the outcome of this case," he wrote, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and informed decision-making. "Accordingly, it is important that someone make an informed and transparent determination about how best to proceed."
The logistical handover was no small feat. Willis’ office delivered 101 boxes of documents related to the investigation on October 29, 2025, followed by an eight-terabyte hard drive containing the entire investigative file on November 6. Skandalakis acknowledged that he has not yet completed his review of the voluminous material but stressed the importance of a thorough and impartial examination before making any decisions about the case’s future. "I haven’t had time to complete my review of the case," he admitted, "but decided to take the case himself so he can complete a comprehensive review and make an informed decision regarding how best to proceed."
The Georgia election case has been a lightning rod for controversy since its inception. In August 2023, Fani Willis announced a sweeping indictment against Trump and 18 others, alleging a conspiracy to overturn the state’s 2020 presidential election results. The case invoked Georgia’s anti-racketeering law, painting a picture of a wide-ranging effort to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s narrow loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Among those still facing charges are high-profile figures like former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, both of whom have maintained their innocence.
The legal battle has been marked by a series of twists and turns. After the trial judge, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, rebuked Willis for a "tremendous lapse in judgment," he ruled that she could remain on the case if Wade resigned, which he did just hours later. However, defense attorneys appealed, and in December 2024, the Georgia Court of Appeals removed Willis from the case, citing the appearance of impropriety. The Georgia Supreme Court declined to hear Willis’ appeal in September 2025, cementing her disqualification and setting the stage for Skandalakis’s appointment.
Skandalakis now faces a daunting task. Not only must he sift through a mountain of evidence, but he must also decide whether to follow Willis’ original vision for the prosecution, pursue only some of the charges, or dismiss the case altogether. The stakes are high, both legally and politically, as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the individuals involved and for public trust in the justice system.
Adding to the complexity, Trump announced earlier this month that he would pardon individuals accused of supporting his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia—including those charged in this very case. However, Skandalakis was quick to clarify that presidential pardons have no bearing on state charges, underscoring the independence of Georgia’s judicial process. "Skandalakis has said that has no bearing on these state charges," noted The Associated Press, highlighting a key distinction in the American legal system.
Trump’s legal team, for their part, remains confident that the case will ultimately be dismissed. Steve Sadow, Trump’s lead attorney in Georgia, expressed optimism about the new prosecutor’s approach: "This politically charged prosecution has to come to an end," he said in an email. Sadow added that he is confident a "fair and impartial review" will lead to the dismissal of the case against his client. The defense’s stance reflects a broader sentiment among Trump’s supporters, who have long argued that the charges are politically motivated.
Yet, for many observers, the case is about more than just the fate of one man or his associates. It raises fundamental questions about the integrity of the electoral process, the accountability of public officials, and the ability of the justice system to function impartially in an era of intense political polarization. As Skandalakis begins his review, the nation watches closely, aware that the decisions made in the coming months could set important precedents for future cases involving election interference and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the 14 other individuals still facing charges—including Meadows and Giuliani—await clarity on their own legal fates. The sprawling nature of the indictment, which at one point included 19 defendants, means that any decision by Skandalakis could have ripple effects far beyond Georgia. For now, the only certainty is that the case remains very much alive, with its ultimate resolution still uncertain.
As the dust settles on Willis’ tumultuous tenure and the baton passes to Skandalakis, the Georgia election case stands at a crossroads. The public’s interest in a transparent and fair outcome remains as strong as ever, and the eyes of the nation will be fixed on Atlanta as the new prosecutor weighs his options. Whatever path Skandalakis chooses, his decision will resonate well beyond the courtroom, shaping the narrative of American democracy for years to come.
