In a recent interview with CNN, Clark Cunningham, Chair of Law and Ethics at Georgia State University, has suggested that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should take a temporary leave of absence from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump. Cunningham argues that allowing a career prosecutor to take over the case would help avoid potential delays that could last until after the 2024 election.

Cunningham emphasized the significance of the Georgia trial, stating that a Trump-only trial this spring would be more crucial than Trump's civil trials in New York. The former president and 18 co-defendants are facing criminal racketeering charges for allegedly attempting to overturn the state's electoral results in the 2020 election won by Joe Biden. Trump and the remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty.

The call for Willis' temporary leave of absence comes amid allegations surrounding her alleged affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Four individuals who were initially indicted but pleaded guilty have expressed willingness to cooperate with prosecutors. On January 8, one of Trump's co-defendants, Michael Roman, claimed that Willis and Wade had a "personal relationship" during the investigation. He alleged that Willis personally benefited from the case against him, asserting that Wade was paid over $650,000, some of which was allegedly used for vacations together.

Willis and Wade have both admitted to having a romantic relationship that developed after Wade was hired to work on Trump's case. While some experts have raised concerns about the impact of these allegations on the prosecution, legal analysts Norman Eisen, Joyce Vance, and Richard Painter have stated that, under Georgia law, there are no grounds for disqualifying Willis and Wade from prosecuting Roman or the other defendants.

The situation has prompted the Georgia Senate to establish a special committee to investigate Willis, marking the initial step toward potentially impeaching and defunding the district attorney. Critics argue that these developments could work to Trump's advantage, potentially influencing the jury pool and tarnishing the prosecution's credibility.

Willis has been subpoenaed to testify at a hearing on February 15, during which a judge will consider whether she and Wade should be disqualified from the election interference case. However, Cunningham believes that the best course of action for Willis would be to step down from the case voluntarily, in order to mitigate any potential complications.

It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, as legal proceedings and investigations continue into the allegations and potential impact on the election interference case.