ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump and 18 others has officially been dismissed by a Fulton County judge. The case was previously overseen by Fani Willis, who was removed due to concerns over an apparent conflict of interest connected to her romantic relationship with a special prosecutor.

Following her dismissal, Pete Skandalakis, the new prosecutor, filed a motion to close the case, indicating he would not pursue it any further. Shortly after, Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issued a one-paragraph order to formally dismiss all charges.

While Trump's legal controversies are far from over, as he faces a range of other charges, the dismissal signifies a momentary reprieve for him and his co-defendants, including notable figures like Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows.

In his remarks, Trump's attorney, Steve Sadow, expressed satisfaction with the dismissal, labeling the prosecution as 'political persecution'. He asserted that the initial case should never have been initiated.

The rapid dismissal raised questions surrounding previous prosecutorial conduct. Skandalakis, who has led Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council, had pointed out that the new case file comprised 101 boxes and an 8-terabyte hard drive, indicating a substantial volume of evidence that required review.

Previously, the court's actions have been shaped by accusations against Willis, particularly concerning her relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor. Although the judge described her actions as a 'tremendous lapse in judgment', he found no definitive conflict of interest, mostly due to Wade's resignation from the case.

The dismissal of this case highlights ongoing debates about prosecutorial integrity and political motivations, especially in high-stakes legal battles involving prominent political figures.