ATLANTA, Ga. — A Georgia prosecutor on Wednesday formally dismissed all criminal charges against Donald J. Trump and several co-defendants in the high-profile 2025 election-interference case, ending what had been the final state-level prosecution tied to efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results.
The decision came after Pete Skandalakis — executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, who recently assumed control of the prosecution — filed a motion announcing he would no longer pursue the case. A short time later, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee signed an order dismissing the case “in its entirety.”
What Was the Case About
The original indictment, brought in August 2023 by former Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, charged Trump and 18 others with racketeering and multiple felony counts, alleging they participated in a broad conspiracy to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election result. The charges included pressure campaigns on election officials, false elector schemes, and attempts to alter vote counts.
Why the Case Was Dropped
- Prosecutorial Turnover & Disqualification: The case’s trajectory changed sharply after Willis was disqualified from prosecuting, following disclosure of a personal relationship with a special prosecutor she had appointed. That decision, upheld by Georgia appellate courts, forced the reassignment of the case.
- Prosecutor Shortage: Several prosecutors declined to take over the case after Willis’s removal. Skandalakis eventually assumed the role himself — but later determined the case could not proceed.
- Legal and Practical Challenges: In his filing, Skandalakis argued that due to the numerous alleged overt acts occurring outside Georgia, a state-level prosecution would not serve justice — and that the matter would be better suited for federal jurisdiction. He concluded that continuing would be “unproductive” given the complexity and resource demands required for trial.
- Timing Concerns: Skandalakis noted it was highly unlikely a meaningful trial could occur before the end of the current presidential term in 2029.
Implications and Aftermath
- For Trump: With this dismissal, the Georgia case becomes the latest (and now final) major criminal case tied to the 2020 election aftermath to be dropped or resolved — leaving no active criminal state charges against him on this matter.
- For Other Defendants: Co-defendants — including high-profile individuals named in the original indictment — will also see charges dismissed under the ruling, unless future federal actions are taken.
- Public Response: The decision is likely to fuel further debate over accountability and the intersection between prosecutorial discretion and political pressure, especially in high-stakes election cases.
