Trump seeks $6.2M in fees after Georgia case tossed
After the Georgia election case was dismissed, Donald Trump moved to recover $6.2 million in attorney fees (Axios characterizes the request as “more than $6 million”). The dismissal followed special prosecutor Peter Skandalakis—appointed after Fani Willis was disqualified—moving in November to dismiss as “futile and unproductive” amid Trump’s reelection and legal complexities, and a new Georgia law allowing fee reimbursement passed last year is widely viewed as a response to the prosecution.
📌 Key Facts
- Axios reports that Trump has requested more than $6 million in legal fees related to the Georgia case.
- The Axios figure is a slightly rounded "more than $6 million," compared with a $6.2 million amount cited elsewhere.
- The fee request comes after the Georgia criminal case against Trump was dismissed/tossed.
- Axios reiterates that a new Georgia reimbursement law passed last year is widely seen as a response to Trump's prosecution in the state.
- Procedural background: Fani Willis was disqualified from the case and Peter Skandalakis was appointed in her place.
- Skandalakis moved in November to dismiss the case as "futile and unproductive," citing Trump's reelection and legal complexities.
📊 Relevant Data
Georgia Senate Bill 244, which allows defendants to seek reimbursement for reasonable attorney's fees and costs if a prosecutor is disqualified and the case is dismissed, was sponsored by Republican Senator Randy Robertson and signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on May 14, 2025, with provisions that were amended to include this reimbursement mechanism during legislative debates inspired by high-profile cases like the Trump election interference prosecution.
Kemp signs bill that could allow Trump to recover Georgia election case legal costs — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the 2020 Georgia presidential election, Black voters comprised about 30% of the electorate with a turnout rate of approximately 68%, compared to White voters at 59% of the electorate with a turnout rate of about 71%, contributing to the narrow margin where demographic shifts and high Black turnout were key factors in Joe Biden's victory by 11,779 votes.
Racial Turnout Gap Grew in Georgia — Again — Brennan Center for Justice
Georgia's registered voter base saw significant growth among non-White groups between 2016 and 2020, with Black registered voters increasing by 25%, Hispanic by 62%, and Asian by 63%, against a state population that is approximately 51% White, 32% Black, 10% Hispanic, and 4% Asian, reflecting broader demographic changes influenced by in-migration and immigration policies like the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 which increased diversity nationwide.
Black, Latino, Asian adults key to Georgia registered voter increase since 2016 — Pew Research Center
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Axios reports the fee request as "more than $6 million" in legal fees, a slightly rounded figure compared with the $6.2 million cited elsewhere.
- Article reiterates that the new Georgia reimbursement law passed last year is widely seen as a response to Trump’s prosecution in the state.
- Confirms the procedural posture: Peter Skandalakis, appointed after Fani Willis was disqualified, moved to dismiss the case in November as "futile and unproductive" given Trump’s reelection and legal complexities.