Federal investigators have taken a significant step in what appears to be an expanding inquiry involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. A federal grand jury subpoena has been issued, demanding detailed records of Willis' travel during the fall of 2024—a critical time coinciding with the presidential election. The New York Times disclosed the subpoena on Friday, indicating an intensification of scrutiny by the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, led by U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.
The precise focus of the federal investigation remains undisclosed, and whether Willis herself has been designated as a target is yet to be confirmed. However, the request for travel records is a noteworthy development, given Willis' role in bringing a high-profile racketeering case against President Donald Trump and 18 of his associates. The charges, stemming from efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results, have ensnared figures such as Rudy Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, among others.
This case has been marred with controversy due to allegations of misconduct involving Willis and her lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade. A secretive affair between the two was uncovered, with financial documents from Wade's divorce proceedings revealing substantial travel expenses. This included lavish vacations, cruises, and trips to destinations like Napa Valley, Miami, and Aruba, bankrolled by Wade. His compensation for the Trump case exceeded $700,000 over two years, figures that came to light through the legal work of Ashleigh Merchant, attorney for one of Trump’s co-defendants.
These revelations have significantly dented the integrity of Willis' prosecution, leading to the case's dormancy since last spring. In December, the Georgia Court of Appeals removed Willis from the case, citing the scandal with Wade as justification. The court also highlighted concerns regarding Willis' coordination with Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed by President Biden, and the Democrat-led January 6 committee, raising questions about the political motivations behind her actions.
Compounding the pressure, similar cases involving alternate electors have faltered in other states, with outright dismissals in Nevada and Michigan. An Arizona case also hangs in the balance due to a recent appellate court decision.
The timing of this subpoena is particularly striking given the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey on charges related to obstruction of justice and false statements during the Russian collusion investigation. Comey's legal woes have been compounded by public statements from Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to Donald Trump, who suggested on an MSNBC panel that Comey "likely committed a crime."
With the investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan's role in the matter ongoing, the political and legal landscape is becoming increasingly turbulent. As federal investigators seek Willis’ travel records, it becomes clear that this is but one element of a broader, multifaceted investigation that could have significant implications for many involved.
