The Justice Department Subpoena
The Justice Department has issued a subpoena seeking records related to the international travel of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. This development comes as part of an ongoing investigation into her activities around the fall of 2024. The subpoena, reported by The New York Times, requests information on any international travel that Willis may have undertaken during this period.
What We Know
According to the report, the scope of the inquiry is not entirely clear. However, it is known that the subpoena specifically targets travel records from the fall of 2024. This is separate from previous discussions regarding trips mentioned in a motion filed in January 2024, which sought to disqualify Willis from the Trump election interference case.
The investigation is being led by the office of U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg in the Northern District of Georgia. His office has not provided immediate comments, nor has the Justice Department. Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for Willis, stated that they have no comment beyond the fact that they have no knowledge of any investigation.
What We Don’t Know
It remains unclear whether Willis is a target of the investigation or if she could ultimately face charges. Grand jury proceedings are typically secret by law, which adds to the uncertainty surrounding the case.
Fani Willis and Nathan Wade Controversy
Willis, a Democrat, won reelection last fall. She gained national attention in August 2023 when a Fulton County grand jury indicted President Donald Trump and 18 others under Georgia’s racketeering law. The indictment alleged a multi-pronged effort to overturn the state’s 2020 election results. Several defendants later took plea deals, while others continued to fight the charges.
In January 2024, defense filings alleged that Willis had a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she had hired to help lead the case. This claim triggered hearings and a public debate over whether Willis should remain on the prosecution.
Legal Proceedings and Disqualification
In December 2024, the Georgia Court of Appeals removed Willis and her office due to an appearance of impropriety tied to her relationship with Wade. On Sept. 16, 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court declined to hear Willis’ appeal, leaving her disqualification in place and shifting the decision about next steps to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.
Separate from the Trump case, a judge ruled in March 2025 that Willis’ office violated Georgia’s Open Records Act and ordered payment of more than $54,000 in attorneys’ fees and production of documents.
Timeline of Events
- Aug. 14–15, 2023: Trump and 18 others are charged in Fulton County in a racketeering case alleging efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results.
- Sept. 2023–Jan. 2024: Pretrial motions mount. In January, a defense motion alleges DA Fani Willis had a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
- Feb. 2024: Hearings probe the Willis–Wade relationship, including testimony from Wade and related witnesses.
- Mar. 13, 2024: Judge Scott McAfee dismisses some counts, leaving the bulk of the racketeering indictment intact.
- Sept. 12, 2024: Court tosses additional counts, including two against Trump, while the case continues on remaining charges.
- Fall 2024: A federal grand jury subpoena seeks records of Willis’ international travel during fall 2024.
- Nov. 18, 2024: Appeals court cancels oral arguments on a separate appeal, reflecting the case’s procedural churn.
- Dec. 19, 2024: Georgia Court of Appeals removes Willis and her office from prosecuting the case over an appearance of impropriety tied to the Willis–Wade relationship.
- Jan. 9–10, 2025: Willis asks the Georgia Supreme Court to review her removal. The attorney general urges the court to reject the appeal.
- Mar. 17, 2025: Judge rules Willis’ office violated the Open Records Act in a separate dispute and orders fees and records production.
- Sep. 16, 2025: Georgia Supreme Court declines to hear Willis’ appeal, confirming her removal and prompting the search for a new prosecutor to decide how to proceed.
Additional Related Reports
- Fani Willis appeal in Trump case rejected by Georgia Supreme Court
- Georgia Supreme Court to hear Fani Willis subpoena dispute
- House Judiciary Committee presses Fulton DA’s office for records, warns of action
- Video surfaces appearing to show Fulton DA Fani Willis, Nathan Wade at LAX
- Georgia Senate committee pushes for subpoena enforcement in DA Willis probe
Conclusion
The ongoing investigations and legal proceedings involving Fani Willis highlight the complexity of the situation. As the case continues to unfold, the public awaits further clarity on the implications of the recent subpoena and the broader legal challenges facing Willis.
