President Donald Trump is requesting that the Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis, reimburse him over $6.2 million in legal fees and expenses following the dismissal of her 2020 election interference lawsuit. This action comes after a court barred Willis from prosecuting Trump last September, an outcome stemming from a ruling by the Georgia Court of Appeals. They determined that her conduct, specifically her romantic involvement with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, led to “alleged misconduct.” The lawsuit was later dismissed in November.
In 2022, Georgia’s legislature enacted a law that entitles individuals charged in a case to recover “all reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred” if a prosecutor is disqualified due to their own inappropriate actions and the case is dismissed. A judge is responsible for evaluating such claims, with any awards drawn from the prosecutor’s office budget.
Trump’s lead attorney in Georgia, Steve Sadow, stated, “In accordance with Georgia law, President Trump has asked the courts to award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs in defending against Fani Willis’ politically motivated — and now properly dismissed — case.”
The motion filed on Wednesday specifies that Trump is seeking $6,261,613.08 in attorney fees. Willis had accused Trump of pressuring state officials to overturn the 2020 election results, organizing “fake electors,” and harassing election officials. In August 2023, a Fulton County grand jury indicted Trump and 18 others, leading to his surrender at the Fulton County Jail on August 24.
Last month, Willis filed for a hearing to address the claims for legal fees, prompted by similar requests from another defendant involved in the case. Her office has expressed concern over the law enacted last year, which enables individuals like Trump to claim expenses.
In her motion, Willis argued the legislation poses serious separation of powers issues, as it holds an elected constitutional officer financially responsible for executing their official duties. She voiced that it retroactively creates a new fee structure and burdens county taxpayers without offering any relief.
