Judge won’t block Georgia prosecutor disciplinary body that Democrats fear is aimed at Fani Willis

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia judge has denied a preliminary challenge to block a commission created to discipline and remove state prosecutors, finding that it doesn’t violate the U.S. or state constitution.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker on Tuesday rejected the request for an injunction against Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, which Republican lawmakers revived this year after creating it in 2023.

Democrats fear the commission has one primary goal: derailing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis ' prosecution of former President Donald Trump. Republicans, though, say it is needed to discipline so-called rogue prosecutors who are refusing to enforce laws.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation last year creating the commission, but it couldn’t begin operating because the state Supreme Court refused to approve rules governing its conduct. The justices said they had “grave doubts” about the high court’s ability to regulate the decisions made by district attorneys.

Lawmakers then removed the requirement for court approval, a change Kemp signed into law. The commission began operating April 1.

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