Fani Willis in testy exchange: I’m not the one 'on trial for trying to steal an election'
An evidentiary hearing in Fulton County Superior Court got heated while District Attorney Fani Willis was on the stand being questioned by an attorney representing one of former President Donald Trump's co-defendants.
While attorney Ashleigh Merchant — who represents co-defendant Mike Roman — was trying to make the argument that Willis was unable to prove that there was no financial conflict of interest between herself and special prosecutor Nathan Wade, Willis suddenly interjected and sought to bring attention back to the original case.
"You’re confused. You think I’m on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. I'm not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial," Willis said.
READ MORE: Fani Willis admits to relationship with Nathan Wade but dismisses 'irrelevant allegations'
Thursday's hearing came about after Merchant filed a motion seeking to have the charges against her client dismissed, alleging that Willis and Wade were having an inappropriate relationship and that county resources were supposedly being misused. Financial records that emerged from Wade's divorce with his ex-wife showed that the two went on several vacations together, including to California and to Aruba.
During questioning, attorneys representing several co-defendants seemed unable to prove that Willis misused county resources while on trips with Wade, as Willis reiterated on several occasions that Wade was reimbursed with cash. There was no paper trail or bank records for cash withdrawals, however, as Willis maintained that the cash used in those payments came from the personal stash in her home.
Willis sought on multiple occasions to redirect the focus of the court (and of the national audience watching the televised hearing) back to the facts of the indictment. In another tense exchange when Willis argued that she was not a hostile witness as she "very much want[ed]" to be on the stand, a voice off-camera clarified that she was being viewed as an "adverse" witness, as her interests were contrary to Merchant's. Willis retorted that "Ms. Merchant's interests are contrary to democracy, not to mine."
The hearing is currently ongoing, and Judge Scott McAfee — who is overseeing the proceedings — has said that an additional day of hearings may be necessary to determine whether Willis and Wade should be disqualified from prosecuting the case.
READ MORE: 'The motion is therefore moot': Fulton County judge hands Trump another loss
Watch the video of Willis' exchange with Merchant below, or by clicking this link.
