House Judiciary Committee seeks testimony, documents from Fulton County DA employees
Graphic: Fani Willis, Donald J. Trump
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The House Judiciary Committee, which is led by Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, says it is continuing its investigation into "politically motivated prosecutions," focusing on the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office (FCDAO) and its case against President Donald Trump. The investigation was initially announced in December 2023.
The committee has requested the voluntary cooperation of multiple people employed by the DA's office, including Chief Senior District Attorney Donald Wakeford, Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten, Assistant Chief Investigator Michael Hill and Assistant Trina Swanson-Lucas. Letters were sent to the above employees on Thursday afternoon.
DA Fani Willis' investigation into Trump
What we know:
The committee’s interest in the Fulton County case stems from District Attorney Fani Willis' coordination with the now-defunct January 6 Select Committee in her investigation of Trump.
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A Dec. 17, 2021, letter from Willis to Representative Bennie Thompson, then-chairman of the January 6 Committee, reportedly requested access to records that could be relevant to her case, including transcripts, electronic communications, and travel records. Members of Willis' team then traveled to Washington, D.C., at the expense of Fulton County taxpayers, to meet with January 6 Committee members and review nonpublic documents, according to testimony from FCDAO Assistant District Attorney Dexter Bond.
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, has previously sent multiple letters to Willis, requesting documents related to her coordination with the January 6 Committee. However, Willis has reportedly refused to fully comply, citing attorney-client privilege, work product protections, and other legal exemptions. In a Dec. 12, 2024, letter, Willis acknowledged that her office possesses key evidence from the January 6 Committee but declined to turn it over, according to the Judiciary Committee.
Committee’s Request for Testimony and Documents
In light of Willis’ refusal to cooperate, the committee is now seeking documents and testimony from the above-named individuals. They are asking the FCDAO employees to:
- Provide all communications with the January 6 Select Committee from July 1, 2021, to January 3, 2023.
- Turn over all records obtained from the January 6 Select Committee that are in their possession.
The committee has also asked the employees to appear for a transcribed interview and provide the requested materials by Feb. 20, 2025.
Rep. Jim Jordon on Fani Willis
What they're saying:
Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, representing the 4th congressional district and chair of the House Judiciary Committee, spoke with FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo about the probe into the Fulton County District Attorney's investigation.
"We think these people came up to DC and met with folks on the January 6th committee. We don't know who they met with in DC. We know Nathan Wade came up here because he billed for it. He billed the taxpayers of Fulton County for his...for his 'work,' whatever that was here in DC."
Jim Jordan on DA Fani Willis probe
The House Judiciary Committee is asking to talk with staffers in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' office. The Republican-led committee has been looking into DA Willis’ prosecution of President Donald Trump.
Recent Developments and Legal Challenges
The backstory:
On Dec. 19, 2024, the Georgia Court of Appeals disqualified Willis and the FCDAO from prosecuting the Trump election interference case. However, Willis has since appealed the ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court, leaving the final outcome uncertain.
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Willis was ultimately disqualified because of questions surrounding her relationship with a former special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, whom she hired to lead the investigation into then former President Trump.
The House Judiciary Committee also launched an investigation into the relationship between Willis and Wade.
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The other side:
FOX 5 Atlanta reached out to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office a couple of hours before this story was published. At this time, a response has not been received. This story will be updated once they have responded, if they choose to do so.
What's next:
The Judiciary Committee, citing its jurisdiction over criminal justice matters, argues that the FCDAO’s prosecution of President Trump raises significant federal concerns. The committee remains focused on whether Willis' collaboration with the January 6 Committee influenced her case against Trump and whether the prosecution is politically motivated.
As the investigation continues, the committee may escalate its efforts if the employees do not comply, potentially issuing a subpoena or taking further legal action to obtain the requested documents.