Georgia House advances measure revising prosecutor oversight panel with Willis in spotlight

Georgia’s House of Representatives passed a bill Monday that would reinstate an oversight board with the power to discipline and fire prosecutors. Democrats say the move is aimed at Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is prosecuting former President Trump.

of Bill passed The bill passed by a 95-75 vote along party lines and was sent to the state Senate, which introduced a similar bill last week.

Last May, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a bill creating the Commission on Prosecutor Qualifications (PACQ), which can fire local prosecutors who “refuse to comply with the law.”

The state Supreme Court refused to approve the commission’s rules, saying there were “serious questions” about their ability to regulate the duties of district attorneys beyond the practice of law. A bill passed by the state House on Monday removed the requirement for Supreme Court approval. Associated Press reported.

“House Republicans are fighting to keep Georgia’s communities safe as prosecutors refuse to do their jobs. This legislation allows the public to hold corrupt prosecutors accountable,” GA House Republicans said. Posted in Xthe platform formerly known as Twitter.

Some Republicans deny the measure is aimed at Willis, who is overseeing Trump’s 2020 election interference case in the state, but Georgia Democrats say the measure is It said it was intended to protect Trump “from ongoing criminal prosecution.” Democrats also worry that without Supreme Court oversight, no one will monitor the commission itself, according to the Associated Press.

Willis has recently come under fire after allegations surfaced that she had a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she appointed to lead the Trump case. Trump supporters say the alleged relationship is evidence of prosecutorial misconduct.

The Associated Press noted that Kemp has said he supports the Prosecution Oversight Committee rather than the Senate committee investigation passed last week. He called on the Senate to quickly pass the bill.