A Georgia judge has dismissed two criminal counts against former President Donald Trump in the ongoing election interference case related to the 2020 presidential election. Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled that prosecutors lacked the authority to bring charges against Trump for allegedly filing false documents in a federal court. However, the majority of the case, including eight other criminal charges, will continue to move forward.
The dismissed counts were connected to accusations that Trump had filed false documentation in relation to his efforts to contest the 2020 election results in Georgia. Judge McAfee’s ruling is a partial win for Trump, but the case remains largely intact, with serious charges still in play. Trump is facing multiple counts of racketeering and other crimes tied to his alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which saw him lose to President Joe Biden in Georgia.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the case, maintaining that his actions were legal and part of a broader effort to challenge what he claims were irregularities in the election process. Despite this dismissal, Trump remains under indictment for conspiracy and racketeering, which are among the most significant charges he faces in this case.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the prosecution, has stated that her office will continue to pursue justice in the case. She has assembled a wide-ranging indictment that names several Trump allies and associates, who are also facing charges for their involvement in the alleged effort to overturn the election results.
While Judge McAfee’s decision to dismiss the two counts narrows the scope of the case, the charges that remain could still carry significant legal consequences for Trump and his co-defendants. The case, which is rooted in Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, is one of several legal challenges Trump faces as he seeks to run for president again in 2024.
Legal experts note that the dismissal of these two counts is unlikely to significantly impact the overall trajectory of the trial, which could still lead to severe penalties if Trump and his co-defendants are convicted of the remaining charges.
As the case proceeds, Trump’s legal team is expected to continue challenging the validity of the charges, with further motions to dismiss and appeals likely. The trial is being closely watched as one of the most high-profile legal battles involving a former president in U.S. history.
