Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram has given District Attorney Fani Willis until January 13 to respond to a court order requiring her to honor a subpoena issued by a Georgia Senate committee. The Senate Special Committee on Investigations had previously sought to question Willis about her role in the prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump.
Willis, however, refused to comply with the subpoena, prompting legal action. At a hearing on December 3, former Governor Roy Barnes argued that the Senate committee lacked the authority to issue the subpoena. Judge Ingram disagreed, siding with the committee’s position and issuing the order for Willis to respond.
Senator Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, who is leading the charge, expressed frustration over Willis’s refusal to testify. He stated that despite the committee’s lawful subpoena, Willis’s defiance, along with troubling revelations regarding potential violations of Georgia’s open records laws, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of her office. Dolezal emphasized the need for accountability, saying, “This behavior undermines public trust and raises serious questions about the integrity of her office.”
Lt. Governor Burt Jones also voiced strong support for the committee’s actions. “The Senate will not back down in its fight for accountability of taxpayer dollars,” Jones said. “DA Willis’s refusal to come before the committee is unacceptable and addressing these issues to require accountability will be a priority for the Senate.”
In addition to this ongoing battle, the Georgia Court of Appeals issued a ruling removing Willis from the case against Trump and others accused of election interference. The court found that a romantic relationship between Willis and lead prosecutor Nathan Wade created a significant appearance of impropriety. However, the court did not dismiss the charges, noting that while the conflict warranted disqualification, it did not justify the extreme step of dismissing the indictment.
