Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, recently in the spotlight for allegations of an affair with attorney Nathan Wade, has refused to provide documents to Congress regarding the ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump. Willis, responding to a request from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, cited “confidentiality interests” related to the ongoing criminal matter.
In her response to Jordan’s January 12 letter to Wade, who is serving as a Special Assistant District Attorney, Willis reiterated the significance of confidentiality in the context of the ongoing Georgia criminal prosecution. She emphasized that the requests impinge on principles of separation of powers, federalism, and legal protections provided to attorney work product in active litigation.
Jordan’s inquiry followed accusations of a conflict of interest involving Willis and Wade, amid their alleged romantic relationship and the payment of $654,000 in legal fees to Wade’s private practice since January 2022. The couple has not denied their romantic involvement, with a court hearing anticipated next month to determine their continued involvement in the Trump case.
Jordan’s letter to Wade sought a broad range of documents, including correspondence with the White House or Justice Department, invoices, credit card statements, reimbursement requests, contracts, and financial arrangements relating to the investigation of Trump. These requests form part of Republican efforts to scrutinize the case’s integrity.
Trump, who faces criminal charges in three other cases, including one by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, is a likely Republican presidential nominee. The Justice Department’s special counsel Jack Smith is also pursuing criminal charges against Trump in South Florida and Washington.
Willis’s decision not to comply with the congressional request underscores the tension between the judicial process and political pressures, particularly in high-profile cases involving political figures. The ongoing investigation into Trump remains a focal point of legal and political debate, with significant implications for the former president and the broader political landscape.