Georgia Governor refuses to hold special session to remove Fulton DA Fani Willis for election interference.

Georgia Gov. Brian ⁣Kemp stands firm against calls ​to ‍remove ​Fulton County ⁣District Attorney Fani Willis following former President Donald ‍Trump’s indictment⁤ for ⁣alleged election interference.

In a press conference in Georgia, Gov. Kemp made​ it clear that he will not convene a special legislative session to oust Ms. Willis. He emphasized that he has seen no evidence to deem ⁢such ⁣an impeachment attempt “unconstitutional” or “unfeasible.”

“We have a law in the state​ of Georgia that ⁤clearly outlines the ‍legal steps that ⁢can be taken if⁢ constituents ‍believe​ their local prosecutors are violating their oath by engaging in unethical or illegal behavior,” stated Gov. Kemp. “As long‌ as I am governor, we’re going to follow the⁤ law and​ the Constitution, ‌regardless⁢ of who it helps⁣ or harms politically.”

Efforts⁢ to remove Ms. Willis gained traction ‍among some Georgia state lawmakers after President Trump and 18 co-defendants were indicted. However, a conviction would require⁤ a two-thirds majority vote in the state Senate, which the state GOP is unlikely to achieve.

One Republican lawmaker, Clint ‌Dixon, expressed ‌his belief‌ that the indictments‌ are driven by Ms. Willis’ desire for ⁢fame. Meanwhile, Republican Georgia state Sen. Colton Moore​ urged Gov. Kemp to⁢ call a special session to investigate Ms. Willis for potential abuse of power in pursuing former President Donald‍ J. Trump.

However, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns,⁢ a ​Republican, ​opposes defunding the Fulton County District Attorney’s office, as suggested by some GOP colleagues, according to a ⁤letter he wrote. Speaker Burns emphasized​ that addressing the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia ⁣in southern Georgia should take precedence over targeting Ms. Willis.

“While ⁤this ​real-time ⁣crisis​ unfolds, unfortunately, we continue to have a few members‌ of the⁣ General Assembly making misleading or false claims ⁤about‍ the​ General⁣ Assembly’s⁢ lawful powers regarding ⁣an ongoing criminal‍ case before our Judiciary,” wrote Speaker Burns. “It is an unfortunate ‍reality of today’s politics that theatrics sometimes garner​ more attention than genuine human needs like those that will unfold today in south and coastal Georgia.”

Rocky Relationship

The relationship between Gov. Kemp ‍and the former president has been strained since 2020 when Gov. Kemp denied voter⁢ fraud during the presidential election. He ⁣also refused President‌ Trump’s request ⁢for a special legislative session to address election​ irregularities.

President Trump has ‌labeled ⁢Gov.⁢ Kemp a “RINO,” or⁣ “Republican in‌ name only,” and ⁢criticized him as⁢ the “worst ‘election integrity’ Governor in the country.” However, in 2018, ​President Trump supported Gov. Kemp during his campaign ⁢against Democratic ⁢activist ⁣Stacey ⁣Abrams.

Earlier ‌this month, Gov. Kemp reiterated that the 2020 election “was⁤ not stolen,” reaffirming the⁣ security, ⁣accessibility, and ​fairness of Georgia’s elections.

On Thursday, President Trump pleaded not ⁣guilty‍ to all charges in Fulton County and waived his right to be present⁢ during the arraignment. ⁣Last week, his mugshot ‍was taken.