WATCH: Fani Willis Lashes Out Throughout Listening to On Failed Trump Case: ‘Dumb*** Question!’
Fulton County District Attorney shouted obscenities and frequently clashed with Georgia state senators during a hearing on her office’s controversial case against President Donald Trump and a number of key allies. The case was tossed earlier this year due to impropriety on the part of Willis and her former lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade.
Willis was testifying before an oversight investigation by Republican-led state lawmakers into her handling of the case. The Fulton County DA was subpoenaed to answer questions on the hiring of Wade — with whom she had an affair and paid $650,000 — the extent of Wade’s involvement in key decisions, details of their personal relationship and any financial benefits, and broader allegations of misconduct.
The committee seeks to inform potential legislative reforms, such as increased oversight of district attorneys.
Several exchanges during Wednesday’s hearing grew heated, with Willis challenging the accuracy of prior testimony references, accusing questioners of misinformation, and shouting at lawmakers.
At one point, a senator referenced Wade’s earlier sworn statement that he participated in over 90% of key meetings or decisions. Willis refused to accept the paraphrase without seeing the exact transcript and expressed distrust.
“I can’t speak to any other person’s testimony. If he testified to such, you’re going to need to show it to me. You’ll have to forgive me, I don’t really trust you so I’ll have to see that particular testimony,” an irate Willis answered.
Other senators pressed Willis on whether she discussed investigating the 2020 election with Wade before taking office in January 2021. In a long, angry answer, the DA called the line of questioning factually flawed and once again shouted at lawmakers.
“That’s really an ignorant question. And if you understand what the word ignorant means, it means the lack of knowledge,” she snapped. “It’s a dumb ass question.”
She further argued that it was “factually impossible” to have planned the investigation beforehand, claiming that key events occurred after she became DA. She accused critics of spreading “lies” about her campaigning on prosecuting Trump and emphasized common sense over legal expertise.
One of the defendants in Willis’ now defunct case filed to have it dismissed in 2024 over allegations of impropriety between she and Wade. Defendants claimed that Willis financially benefited because Wade was paid substantial fees — over $650,000 — from public funds, part of which allegedly funded luxury trips for the couple, creating a conflict of interest and appearance of impropriety.
Additional accusations included that Willis and Wade misrepresented the timeline of their relationship under oath, further eroding public trust in the prosecution.
In March 2024, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee found an “appearance of impropriety” due to the relationship but allowed Willis to remain on the case provided Wade resigned, which he did shortly after. Defendants appealed this decision, arguing that the conflict required full disqualification of Willis and her office.
Last December, Willis and her entire office were disqualified from the case by the Georgia Court of Appeals. Willis attempted to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, though her request was denied this past September, officially disqualifying her from the case.
Following Willis’s disqualification, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council appointed Pete Skandalakis as replacement prosecutor. The case stalled amid reported staffing and resource challenges, leading to its complete dismissal last month.