Georgia Prosecutor Nathan Wade Questioned by State Senators Over Trump Case

Former special prosecutor Nathan Wade faced questioning from Georgia state senators about his communications with federal investigators during the Trump election interference case. Wade repeatedly claimed he couldn't recall specific details about meetings and conversations with federal officials.

ATLANTA — Georgia state senators on Friday questioned Nathan Wade, the former special prosecutor who handled the election interference case against President Donald Trump, focusing on his team’s communications with federal investigators. However, Wade’s frequent claims of not remembering specific details left lawmakers with few answers.

Wade testified before a subcommittee of the Special Committee on Investigations, established by the Republican-controlled state Senate in January 2024 to investigate alleged misconduct by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, a Democrat, regarding her Trump prosecution.

Despite multiple hearings featuring various witnesses, including a contentious December appearance by Willis herself, the committee has revealed little new information. Republicans have also expanded their investigation to include Democrat Stacey Abrams, though no public action has been taken on that front.

Willis secured an indictment against Trump and 18 co-defendants in August 2023, using Georgia’s anti-racketeering statute to allege their participation in a broad conspiracy to unlawfully reverse Trump’s narrow Georgia defeat. Four defendants subsequently entered guilty pleas through plea agreements.

The committee’s founding resolution centered on Wade’s appointment as special prosecutor, describing his romantic involvement with Willis as a “clear conflict of interest and a fraud upon the taxpayers” of both the county and state. A December 2024 appeals court ruling removed Willis from the case due to an “appearance of impropriety” stemming from their relationship, and a new prosecutor dropped the charges last November.

While senators questioned Wade about his appointment — including the timeline and selection process — his romantic relationship with Willis was not discussed. Wade’s opening statement suggested a prior agreement that personal relationships would remain off-limits.

Senator Greg Dolezal primarily focused on Wade’s billing records, particularly entries suggesting contact with the U.S. House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack and meetings with Justice Department officials. Wade consistently claimed inability to recall timing of trips or calls, meeting participants, or discussion topics.

Wade defended his team’s work, emphasizing that Willis led the investigation independently. “She led us, I led the team and we did the work,” Wade testified. “We didn’t get assistance, coordination, however you want to characterize it. No one held her hand and guided her through the process. This is her work.”

Following the hearing, Dolezal acknowledged not obtaining all desired information. “Look, I wish Mr. Wade had a better memory,” he told reporters, while appreciating Wade’s appearance and responses “to the best of his recollection.”

Dolezal expressed satisfaction with establishing that Wade’s team met with January 6 investigation personnel and contacted Justice Department officials, suggesting potential coordination in efforts to “get Trump.”

Wade’s attorney Andrew Evans dismissed conspiracy theories as “absolute fiction,” accusing Republican senators of using the committee to distract from unfavorable issues as midterm elections approach.

Four of the committee’s five Republicans, including Dolezal who is seeking lieutenant governor, are pursuing statewide offices in 2026. Bill Cowsert is running for attorney general, while Senators Blake Tillery and Steve Gooch are also seeking the Republican lieutenant governor nomination. Former committee member John Kennedy resigned to launch his own lieutenant governor campaign. Only Dolezal and Cowsert attended Friday’s subcommittee session.

The subcommittee also heard from Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Jeff DiSantis, who handles media relations for Willis’ office. He answered questions about Wade’s hiring, which he said he learned about after the decision was made, and the district attorney’s office’s media monitoring services.