Former President Donald Trump secured a legal victory in Georgia on Thursday, September 12, 2024, as a judge dismissed three more counts in the election interference case against him and his allies. The ruling, issued by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, removes two charges Trump personally faced while upholding the central racketeering allegation.
Judge McAfee’s decision centered on the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which dictates that federal law precedes state law when conflicts arise. The dismissed counts pertained to the filing of allegedly false documents in federal court, actions the judge determined fall outside state jurisdiction.
“Punishment for filing certain documents would enable a state to constrict the scope of materials assessed by a federal court and impair the administration of justice in that tribunal,” McAfee stated in his ruling.
The three quashed counts—14, 15, and 27—all involved submitting purportedly fraudulent documents to a federal court in Atlanta. Two of these charges directly implicated Trump, reducing the number of felony counts he faces from 13 to eight.
This latest development follows a March ruling in which Judge McAfee dismissed six other counts in the indictment. Despite these reductions, 32 felony charges remain intact, including the cornerstone racketeering accusation.
Trump’s lead defense attorney, Steve Sadow, celebrated the decision: “President Trump and his legal team in Georgia have prevailed once again.”
The case, brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, initially indicted Trump and 18 others on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Four defendants have since entered guilty pleas.
However, the legal proceedings have hit a snag. The case is currently on hold for Trump and nine other defendants as the Georgia Court of Appeals considers whether Willis can remain on the case. This pause stems from misconduct allegations related to Willis’ romantic relationship with a top prosecutor, Nathan Wade, who resigned.
Oral arguments on this matter are scheduled for December 5, with a decision not expected until next year. As a result, the counts in question will not be officially dropped for the affected defendants until their cases resume.
The broader context of Trump’s legal battles presents a mixed picture. While he faces ongoing challenges in Georgia, other cases against the former president have encountered setbacks. A federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents case, and the federal election interference case has been delayed and diminished by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting extensive immunity from criminal prosecution to presidents for many official acts.
In contrast, a New York jury convicted Trump on 34 felony counts in May, highlighting the varied outcomes across his multiple legal fronts.
While the dismissal of these charges is a victory for Trump, it does not derail the broader case against him in Georgia. Judge McAfee’s ruling specifically upheld the racketeering charge, which remains at the heart of the indictment. This charge alleges a wide-ranging conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results, encompassing actions beyond those addressed in the dismissed counts.
As the legal and political dramas continue, the nation’s eyes remain fixed on Georgia. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for both the former president and the American electoral system.