Former Trump Special Prosecutor Defends Romance with Fani Willis

Nathan Wade says his "American as apple pie" relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should not have been a distraction from the election interference case against former President Trump.

Former Georgia special prosecutor Nathan Wade has broken his silence about his "workplace romance" with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, calling it "American as apple pie."

In his first media interview since resigning from the Georgia election interference case against former President Trump in March, Wade told ABC News' Linsey Davis that he regretted that his romantic involvement with Willis became the focus of the case.

"Workplace romances are as American as apple pie," Wade said in an interview that aired on "Good Morning America." "It happens to everyone. But it happened to the two of us."

Asked if he regretted the relationship, Wade said he did because it became the focus of the case. Their past romance and Willis' defiant posture when confronted over the appearance of impropriety upended the case and alarmed even progressives.

"I regret that that private matter became the focal point of this very important prosecution," Wade said. "This is a very important case."

Davis also asked about why they didn't consider making a statement about their relationship when it first started.

"My conversation here with you today is just that. It's Nathan's conversation. I do not speak for the district attorney's office. I do not speak for their position. As a matter of fact, I am certain that they would rather me not be having this exchange with you. With that, I want to continue to protect the integrity of this prosecution. I don't want to say or do anything that would jeopardize this case," Wade said.

The former prosecutor asserted that he didn't think the news of their relationship did any damage to the case.

Wade resigned from the case after Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee ruled that either Willis or Wade had to remove themselves from the prosecution. Willis was accused of having an "improper" affair with Wade, whom she hired in 2021. Willis and Wade claim their relationship began in 2022, and Wade said their relationship ended in the summer of 2023, but they remained friends.

Willis has said she doesn't feel her reputation has been tarnished as she moves forward with her 2020 election interference case against Trump.

"I don't feel like my reputation needs to be reclaimed," Willis told CNN in March. "I guess my greatest crime is I had a relationship with a man. That's not something I find embarrassing in any way. And I know that I have not done anything that's illegal."

The relationship between Wade and Willis has been the subject of much speculation and controversy. Some have questioned whether Willis' romantic involvement with Wade compromised her ability to fairly prosecute Trump. Others have defended Willis, arguing that her personal life should not affect her professional judgment.

The Georgia election interference case is still ongoing. Willis has vowed to continue investigating Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia.

Wade's decision to speak out about his relationship with Willis could further complicate the case. It remains to be seen whether Wade's comments will affect the outcome of the prosecution.