ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp said he will not call a special session to investigate, nor impeach Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
Some Republican legislators continue to demand a special session to investigate Willis’ prosecution of former President Donald Trump and others on election interference charges.
But Kemp said Thursday that he doesn’t have the legal authority to call one and said he hasn’t seen that Willis has done anything illegal.
“The bottom line is that in the state of Georgia, as long as I’m governor, we’re going to follow the law and the constitution regardless of who it helps or harms politically,” Kemp said.
Far-right Republicans led by Trenton state Sen. Colton Moore have repeated calls to punish Willis for her prosecution of Trump and 18 others.
But in an email to the GOP caucus on Wednesday, House Speaker Jon Burns strongly cautioned against what he called “a reckless course of action.”
“Targeting one specific DA in this manner certainly flouts the idea of separation of powers if not outright violates it,” Burns said.
Moore remained defiant on Thursday.
“I will continue to call for a special session up until the point we go into session, and I mean, to discount my voice and the 200,000 people I represent, is unconstitutional in itself,” Moore told Channel 2′s Richard Elliot. “This is why I’m pushing for a special session.”
Kemp refused to call a special session in 2020 despite intense pressure from Trump. He cited the same law when refusing to call for one now.
“Over the last few years, some inside and some outside of this building have forgotten that, but I can assure you, I have not,” Kemp said.
Kemp did criticize Willis’ prosecution, believing it’s political in nature and sows seeds of distrust, but added, he’s seen no evidence she’s done anything illegal.