Fani Willis likely regrets ever messing with Trump.
President Donald Trump scored another legal victory this week after a Georgia judge ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis cannot take part in a dispute over millions of dollars in legal fees tied to her failed prosecution of the former president.
The decision marks the latest setback for Willis following the collapse of her high-profile racketeering case against Trump and several of his allies.
Judge Blocks Willis From Legal Fee Battle
On Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Willis has no legal standing to participate in the ongoing fight over attorney fees because she was previously disqualified from prosecuting the case.
The ruling centers on roughly $16.8 million in legal fees that Trump and several co-defendants are now seeking to recover.
Earlier this year, President Trump filed a request asking that more than $6.2 million in attorney fees and legal costs be reimbursed following the dismissal of the case.
Judge McAfee stated that since Willis had already been fully disqualified from the prosecution, she is not permitted to take part in the proceedings currently moving forward.
Major Victory for Trump
The ruling represents another win for Trump after years of legal battles with Willis, who brought the sweeping case in 2023.
Trump has long argued the prosecution was politically motivated, describing it as a “witch hunt” driven by partisan politics.
Now the legal focus has shifted to whether Trump and the other defendants should be compensated for the enormous costs of defending themselves.
New Georgia Law Opens Door for Reimbursement
The push for reimbursement stems from a Georgia law enacted in 2025 that permits defendants to seek repayment of legal costs when a prosecutor is removed or disqualified from a case.
Under that law, Trump and the other defendants are seeking to recover millions spent on legal defense.
Judge McAfee noted that Fulton County itself may ultimately become involved, since any reimbursement payments would likely come from the county’s budget.
However, Willis attempted to intervene in the case, arguing through her attorneys that she should have a chance to challenge the requested legal fees.
Her legal team claimed excluding her would violate basic due process protections.
“Without intervention by the District Attorney, any award would violate fundamental notions of due process,” Willis’ lawyers argued in court filings.
Trump Attorney Applauds Court Decision
Trump’s lead attorney, Steve Sadow, praised the ruling and said it confirms that Willis has no role left in the case.
“Judge McAfee made the correct decision in rejecting District Attorney Willis’ request to intervene,” Sadow said in a statement. “Because she was disqualified due to improper conduct, neither she nor her office should have any further involvement in this now-dismissed case.”
How the Trump Case Fell Apart
Willis originally filed a sweeping Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) case against Trump and 18 co-defendants in August 2023.
Prosecutors alleged the group attempted to illegally overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results.
But over time, the case began to weaken as several defendants reached plea agreements and some charges were dropped.
The biggest setback occurred in 2024, when the Georgia Court of Appeals removed Willis from the case.
The court determined that Willis had failed to disclose a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, which created a serious conflict of interest.
That decision forced Willis off the case entirely.
Case Ultimately Dismissed
After Willis was removed, control of the prosecution was handed to the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council, which was tasked with deciding whether the case should continue.
Council director Peter Skandalakis ultimately concluded that continuing the case would not serve the public.
“In my professional judgment, the citizens of Georgia are not served by pursuing this case in full for another five to ten years,” Skandalakis said.
Judge McAfee later approved the request to dismiss the case.
What Happens Next
With the prosecution now dismissed, the legal battle has shifted to whether Trump and the other defendants should be reimbursed for their legal expenses.
Judge McAfee’s latest ruling ensures that Fani Willis will not be part of that process, as the court decides whether millions in attorney fees should be repaid.
For Trump and his supporters, the decision represents yet another turning point in a legal fight that has stretched on for years.
