Georgia prosecutors have officially dropped election interference charges against Donald Trump, with a court approving the request. Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Georgia Council of Prosecutors, filed a 22-page motion with the Fulton County Superior Court on 26/11, stating: "In my professional judgment, continuing to pursue this case for another 5-10 years would not benefit the people of Georgia."
Skandalakis cited special prosecutor Jack Smith's decision in 11/2024 to dismiss federal charges against Trump, which also concerned alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Washington. "If prosecutor Smith, with all federal resources at his disposal, concluded that the prosecution was futile, then prosecuting at the state level would also be ineffective," Skandalakis argued.
Judge Scott McAfee approved Skandalakis's motion, declaring "the entire prosecution dismissed." Steve Sadow, attorney for President Trump, welcomed the decision by Georgia officials. "Prosecutor Fani Willis's politically motivated prosecution effort against President Trump has finally ended. This case should never have been initiated. A fair and objective prosecutor has ended the fight," Sadow stated.
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US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on 17/11. Photo: *AP*.
The Georgia case, initiated in 8/2023, originally saw prosecutor Willis indict 19 individuals, with Trump facing 13 charges. Judge McAfee later dismissed 5 charges, leaving Trump with 8. However, the Georgia Court of Appeals in 12/2024 ruled that Willis engaged in "improper conduct" related to a relationship with a colleague, thus disqualifying her from prosecuting Trump. Skandalakis subsequently took over the case.
Beyond Georgia, Trump, before being elected for a second term, also faced three other prosecutions: conspiracy to overturn election results leading to the Capitol Hill riot in Washington; unlawful retention of classified documents in Florida after leaving the White House; and falsifying business records to pay hush money during his 2016 campaign in New York.
In 5/2024, a New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 charges. Trial Judge Juan Merchan in 1/2025 issued a ruling of "unconditional discharge", meaning Trump would not face jail time, probation, or any fines, despite still having a criminal record.
The two remaining prosecutions were both handled by Smith, and the prosecutor abandoned those efforts in 11/2024.
Nhu Tam (According to AFP, AP)
