The state official tasked with finding a special prosecutor to investigate Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for his alleged involvement in trying to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in the state, Pete Skandalakis, announced that he had appointed himself to lead the case. Skandalakis, a longtime prosecutor and a Republican, took on the role after previous prosecutor, Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis was disqualified due to a conflict of interest. In response, Jones, who was elected lieutenant governor in 2022, welcomed the investigation and criticized Willis for her actions, expressing his desire for a swift resolution.
Jones, a prominent Trump ally known for his efforts to reverse Joe Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia, was part of a group of state Republicans who falsely claimed Trump had won the state in 2020. Despite being a key figure in the investigation, Jones successfully blocked charges against him previously due to Willis’s actions. Skandalakis, who has experience in high-profile cases and investigations, had initially faced challenges in finding a suitable prosecutor for the case but ultimately appointed himself, signaling a significant development in the ongoing probe. As the case continues, the outcome of Trump and his co-defendants’ appeal to replace Willis as the prosecutor could potentially impact the direction of the investigation.