Lawyers for several defendants in the Georgia criminal case against former President Donald Trump and others have been weighing whether to press for a gag order against Atlanta-area prosecutor Fani Willis, especially if efforts to disqualify her fail, sources familiar with the strategy discussions told CNN.
Willis has continued to speak publicly about the case, at times invoking race despite being rebuked by the presiding judge as the Fulton County district attorney juggles a reelection bid with prosecuting Trump and his 14 co-defendants. Some attorneys for high-profile defendants, though, are hesitant to try to silence her at this time.
A gag order against one of Trump’s biggest foes could score political points and help him and his co-defendants in the short term. But it could also backfire by undercutting their efforts to have Willis disqualified from the case, or by inspiring efforts to seek a gag order against Trump and other defendants who have publicly criticized Willis.
The deliberations come as several defendants, including Trump, have also tried and failed to have the Georgia election subversion dismissed. On Thursday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee upheld the criminal indictment, rejecting efforts to dismiss the case on free speech grounds.
Appearing at an awards event Friday, Willis appeared to reference the backlash she’s faced for her public comments.
“Recently, they tell me they don’t like me to talk about race,” Willis told a crowd at an awards event on Friday. “Well, I’m gonna talk about it anyway.”
The district attorney’s comments come after more than two months of drama in which she ultimately avoided being disqualified from the racketeering case. McAfee ruled last month that Willis could remain on the case only if Nathan…
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