Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law on Wednesday that allows a state panel to begin acting with the authority to censure and dismiss prosecutors, which poses a threat to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ trial of former President Donald Trump.
“This legislation will help us ensure rogue and incompetent prosecutors are held accountable if they refuse to uphold the law,” Kemp said before signing the bill, flanked by Republican legislative leaders. “As we know all too well, crime has been on the rise across the country, and is especially prevalent in cities where prosecutors are giving criminals a free pass or failing to put them behind bars due to lack of professional conduct.”
Though Kemp signed legislation establishing the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission last year, it was unable to function because the state Supreme Court declined to accept regulations limiting its operation in November.
The justices expressed “grave doubts” about their competence to control district attorneys’ activities outside the profession of law. The legislation eliminates the need for Supreme Court approval.
The measure is expected to encounter more legal challenges. Four district attorneys withdrew their prior case against the commission when the Supreme Court overturned it.
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