Trump gains small win in Georgia election case after judge dismisses several charges

Atlanta, Georgia - Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee dismissed six charges in the indictment of former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants in the 2020 election subversion case.

On Wednesday, the judge overseeing Donald Trump's 2020 election subversion trial in Georgia dismissed six charges listed in the indictment.
On Wednesday, the judge overseeing Donald Trump's 2020 election subversion trial in Georgia dismissed six charges listed in the indictment.  © Chip Somodevilla / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

According to The New York Times, McAfee issued a nine-page ruling on Wednesday where he took aim at the charges related to accusations that Trump solicited Georgia officials to violate their oath of office in their effort to overturn the 2020 election result.

"These six counts contain all the essential elements of the crimes but fail to allege sufficient detail regarding the nature of their commission," McAfee wrote.

The most notable example used in the indictment came when Trump made a phone call to Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, urging him to "find" the 11,780 votes he needed to win.

Trump's hush money trial reveals damning text messages about cheating on Melania
Donald Trump Trump's hush money trial reveals damning text messages about cheating on Melania

"They do not give the Defendants enough information to prepare their defenses intelligently, as the Defendants could have violated the Constitution and thus the statute in dozens, if not hundreds, of distinct ways," McAfee argued.

Trump wins this one, but he's not out of the woods yet

The ruling comes as a small win for Trump and his former attorney Rudy Giuliani, as it now brings the amount of charges they will face down from 13 to 10.

The judge made it clear that "this does not mean the entire indictment is dismissed," and the very serious racketeering charges still remain.

McAfee's ruling was not in relation to a decision to possibly remove Fani Willis, the Georgia district attorney who led the case, which he is expected to make by the end of next week.

Cover photo: Chip Somodevilla / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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