Nathan Wade resigns as Trump special prosecutor, saving Fani Willis' Georgia election case

Nathan Wade, the Georgia special prosecutor hired by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to lead the election fraud case against Donald Trump, resigned just hours after a judge ruled that either he or Willis had to step down for the case to proceed.

Willis accepted Wade's resignation in a letter released Friday afternoon and thanked the private lawyer, with whom she'd had a romantic relationship that threw the case into turmoil.

“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," Willis wrote.
 

More:Fani Willis can stay on Georgia Trump case if she fires special prosecutor: judge

Judge notes an 'odor of mendacity'

The extraordinary chapter in an already unprecedented case − a former president charged with illegally trying to overturn his election loss − started in January when a Trump co-defendant, Michael Roman, alleged in court documents that Willis and Wade were romantic partners who had enriched themselves through the sprawling election racketeering case.

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Judge Scott McAfee held three days of explosive hearings in February that featured a surprise appearance on the stand by Willis herself.

He ruled on Friday that "an odor of mendacity" clung to Willis' testimony, and said that the district attorney could either remove Wade or see her office disqualified from the case.

Trump, writing on Truth Social, celebrated that Wade had "resigned in disgrace."

More:Unproven claims and 'unprofessional' witnesses: How judge arrived at Fani Willis ruling

Related:Why Nathan Wade, under fire for alleged affair with Fani Willis, is facing new scrutiny

Nathan Wade cites 'the interest of democracy'

In his resignation letter, obtained by USA TODAY, Wade noted that McAfee had ruled that Roman, Trump and other defendants had "failed to meet their burden" of proving an actual conflict of interest in the case. But, he said, "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."

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

Willis said she received Wade’s resignation letter dated March 15 and accepted it “effective immediately.”

More:Fani Willis decision: Read the judge's full ruling on Willis in Trump election fraud case
 

Fani Willis says she's grateful

She complimented Wade 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 also thanked Wade for his efforts in leading the election fraud case against Trump and 14 other defendants for trying to overturn the results of the presidential election in Georgia in 2020.

“You led a team that secured a true bill of indictment against nineteen individuals who are accused of violating Georgia law to undermine the 2020 election for the former President of the United States.”