Georgia Judge Drops Key Charges in Trump Election Interference Case

A Georgia judge has dismissed two criminal counts against Donald Trump and one count against his allies in an election interference case. Despite this, eight charges against Trump remain, with the case paused due to an appeals court reviewing the prosecutor's conduct. Trump's lawyer hailed the ruling as a victory.

A Georgia judge on Thursday dismissed two criminal counts in the state's 2020 election interference case against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and one other count against his allies.

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled that state prosecutors lacked the authority to bring these charges, which were related to the alleged filing of false documents. However, McAfee allowed the case to proceed on eight other charges against Trump. Trump and 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to racketeering and other charges connected to an alleged scheme to overturn Trump's narrow 2020 election defeat in Georgia.

The case has been on hold since June, pending a Georgia appeals court's decision on whether lead prosecutor Fani Willis should be disqualified due to alleged misconduct. The appeals court will hear arguments in December, ensuring no progress before the November 5 election when Trump faces Vice President Kamala Harris. A separate federal case against Trump for national election interference has also slowed, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

Thursday's decision means five of the original 13 charges against Trump have now been dismissed, including six counts dismissed in March. Trump's lawyer, Steve Sadow, stated that the ruling demonstrates their legal team's continued success. Willis' office has yet to comment. McAfee upheld the primary charge of racketeering, which applies to all defendants.

(With inputs from agencies.)