Former U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a criminal case over alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 Georgia election results.
The case will be presided over by Judge Scott McAfee, the newest addition to the court and a former prosecutor who once worked in the same office as Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
According to Fulton County Superior Court records, on August 15, Judge McAfee, appointed by Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp in February, has been randomly assigned to oversee the case against Trump.
The former President, who is the frontrunner for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination, denies any wrongdoing and accuses Willis of political bias.
Judge McAfee’s campaign website outlines his commitment to clear case backlogs, hold violent offenders accountable, and provide alternatives for non-violent offenders, emphasizing a holistic approach to justice.
Described as fair and intelligent by those who know him professionally, including criminal defense lawyer Brian Steel, Judge McAfee brings a diverse background to the role. Prior to joining the court, he served as the inspector general, uncovering instances of fraud and waste in Georgia’s government.
He successfully prosecuted cases, including a $1.3 million fraud scheme and the conviction of a state worker for faking pregnancies.
McAfee’s legal career includes roles as an assistant U.S. attorney and an assistant district attorney. He specialized in tackling major drug trafficking organizations while working for the U.S. attorney’s office, and he handled numerous felony cases such as armed robbery and murder while at the district attorney’s office.
A graduate of Emory University with a major in music, McAfee received a scholarship to play cello in the university symphony. He later graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2013 and passed the state bar exam, as noted by the Georgia Bar Association website.
As Judge McAfee takes charge of the trial against Trump, he will determine the trial schedule and address legal complexities arising from prosecuting acts that occurred during Trump’s presidency. Trump’s legal team may request a change of venue or a move to federal court, further testing the judge’s impartiality and legal acumen.
