Brian Kemp Rejects Georgia Republicans' Effort to Save Donald Trump

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said that the "political theater" of a special session to potentially impeach Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will not occur, despite the strong desire on behalf of some statewide conservative officials.

Willis led the investigation that recently resulted in the fourth indictment of former President Donald Trump, who, along with 18 other allies and associates, has been charged with conspiracy charges related to Georgia's electoral results in the 2020 election. Trump faces 13 of the 41 total charges, including a purported violation of the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, commonly used to prosecute crime gangs.

Earlier this month, Republican State Senator Colton Moore called on Kemp to declare an emergency session to investigate and potentially impeach Willis directly in relation to her approximate 2-and-a-half-year investigation that he claims could ultimately spark a "civil war."

"We have a law in the state of Georgia that clearly outlines the legal steps that can be taken if constituents believe their local prosecutors are violating their oath by engaging in unethical or illegal behavior," Kemp said on Wednesday.

He added that no such oversight is warranted based on how the investigation transpired, in addition to such a session possibly being unconstitutional.

"As long as I am governor, we're going to follow the law and the Constitution, regardless of who it helps or harms politically," Kemp said.

Kemp reiterated his comments during a press conference Thursday that centered on the state's emergency response to Hurricane Idalia, saying that discussions about a special session are mirroring similar conversations that took place when Kemp rejected calling a special session to overturn results from the 2020 election.

"Such an action would have been unconstitutional, it was that simple," Kemp said Thursday. "Fast forward today, nearly three years later, memories are fading fast."

He mentioned "one individual in the General Assembly," who is Moore, and his intentions. Kemp said he also made his own opinions public and "well documented."

"We are now seeing what happens when prosecutors move forward with highly-charged indictments and trials in the middle of an election," Kemp said. "Simply put, it sows distrust and provides easy pickings for those that see the district attorney's action is guided by politics.

"But let me be clear: we have a law in the state of Georgia that clearly outlines the legal steps that can be taken if constituents believe their local prosecutors are violating their oath by engaging in unethical or illegal behavior. Up to this point, I have not seen any evidence that DA Willis' actions or lack thereof warrant action by the Prosecuting Attorney Oversight Commission—but that ultimately be a decision that the commission will make."

He also referred to a special session as being akin to "political theater that only enflames the emotions of the moment."

His views seem to be shared by Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, a Republican, who in a letter sent to Georgia's GOP House caucus on Wednesday cited some members of the General Assembly parroting "misleading or false claims" as a means of precedence in investigating Willis as an ongoing criminal case is taking place.

"A select few are calling to defund a duly-elected district attorney of this state and her office in an attempt to interfere with the criminal justice system," Burns' memo reads. "It is unfortunate some would knowingly suggest such a reckless course of action despite the devastating effects it would have."

He also called fellow conservatives' calls for defunding Willis' office hypocritical, as it would reduce or eliminate the number of prosecutions for "other serious offenses like murder, rape, armed robbery, gang prosecution, batter, etc." that Republicans have claimed Democrats are lax on in different districts nationwide.

Moore continues to push for the special session and raise money on its behalf and that of Trump, who in video recordings has supported his efforts.

Kemp also disavowed Moore's comments about a civil war.

A spokesperson for Kemp referred Newsweek to his newly made comments made Thursday and provided no additional comment.

Newsweek reached out to Moore, Burns and the Trump campaign via email for comment.

Update 08/31/23, 1:04 p.m. ET: This story was updated with more information.