DOJ subpoenas Fulton County DA Fani Willis’ journey data, NYT studies

ATLANTA – The Justice Department has issued a subpoena in search of data tied to the journey of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, according to a report by The New York Times. 

Fulton County DA journey data subpoena

What we all know:

The newspaper mentioned Friday it had reviewed a federal grand jury subpoena, however the scope of the inquiry was not clear.

The Times reported that the subpoena requests data on worldwide journey Willis could have taken across the time of final yr’s election. 

The subpoena reported by The Times seeks particulars of Willis’ journey within the fall of 2024. 

Fani Willis attends The Shabazz Center Commemorates Malcolm X’s a hundredth Birthday on May 19, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images)

This is separate from journeys mentioned in a movement filed in January 2024 which sought to disqualify WIllis from the Trump election interference case. 

What we do not know:

It was additionally unclear whether or not Willis is a goal of the investigation or may in the end face fees. Grand jury proceedings are secret by legislation.

The inquiry is being led by the workplace of U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg within the Northern District of Georgia. His workplace declined speedy remark, as did the Justice Department.

Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for Willis, instructed the NYT, “we have no comment beyond the fact we have no knowledge of any investigation.”

Fani Willis and Nathan Wade controversy

The backstory:

Willis, a Democrat, received reelection final fall. She made nationwide headlines in August 2023 when a Fulton County grand jury indicted President Donald Trump and 18 others beneath Georgia’s racketeering legislation, alleging a multi-pronged effort to overturn the state’s 2020 election outcomes. Several defendants later took plea offers, whereas others continued to battle the fees.

In January 2024, protection filings alleged Willis had a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the particular prosecutor she had employed to assist lead the case. The claims triggered hearings and a public battle over whether or not Willis ought to stay on the prosecution.

Fani Willis and Nathan Wade attend The Shabazz Center Commemorates Malcolm X’s a hundredth Birthday on the Shabazz Center on May 19, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images)

In December 2024, the Georgia Court of Appeals eliminated Willis and her workplace attributable to an look of impropriety tied to her relationship with Wade. On Sept. 16, 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court declined to listen to Willis’ attraction, leaving her disqualification in place and shifting the choice about subsequent steps to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.

Separate from the Trump case, a choose dominated in March 2025 that Willis’ workplace violated Georgia’s Open Records Act and ordered cost of greater than $54,000 in attorneys’ charges and manufacturing of paperwork.

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Fani Willis involvement with Trump indictment

Timeline:

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 outcomes. Several co-defendants, together with attorneys and political operatives, had begun negotiating plea offers. Over the next months, a minimum of 4 pleaded responsible to lesser fees in trade for cooperation.

Sept. 2023–Jan. 2024 — Pretrial motions mount. In January, a protection movement alleges DA Fani Willis had a romantic relationship with particular prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Feb. 2024 — Hearings probe the Willis–Wade relationship, together with testimony from Wade and associated witnesses.

Mar. 13, 2024 — Judge Scott McAfee dismisses some counts, leaving the majority of the racketeering indictment intact.

Sept. 12, 2024 — Court tosses further counts, together with two towards Trump, whereas the case continues on remaining fees.

Fall 2024  — A federal grand jury subpoena seeks data of Willis’ worldwide journey throughout fall 2024, in keeping with The New York Times. The inquiry, led by U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg within the Northern District of Georgia, is separate from the protection movement about Willis’ relationship with particular prosecutor Nathan Wade. The scope of the investigation is unclear, and Willis’ workplace mentioned it had no data of any probe. This was solely revealed in 2025.

Nov. 18, 2024 — Appeals court docket cancels oral arguments on a separate attraction, reflecting the case’s procedural churn.

Dec. 19, 2024 — Georgia Court of Appeals removes Willis and her workplace from prosecuting the case over an look of impropriety tied to the Willis–Wade relationship.

Jan. 9–10, 2025 — Willis asks the Georgia Supreme Court to assessment her removing. The lawyer normal urges the court docket to reject the attraction.

Mar. 17, 2025 — Judge guidelines Willis’ workplace violated the Open Records Act in a separate dispute and orders charges and data manufacturing.

Sep. 16, 2025 — Georgia Supreme Court declines to listen to Willis’ attraction, confirming her removing and prompting the seek for a brand new prosecutor to resolve proceed.