Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee dealt a blow to former President Trump’s legal strategy by rejecting his attempt to dismiss Fani Willis’ RICO case based on First Amendment grounds.

According to Fox News, McAfee’s ruling, issued after careful consideration of legal arguments and the indictment, found no merit in Trump’s claims that constitutional protections shielded him from prosecution. McAfee underscored that the statutes cited in the case did not inherently violate the First Amendment.

Trump’s legal team contended that the prosecution infringed on fundamental First Amendment rights, including political speech, freedom of association, and the right to petition Congress. McAfee dismissed these arguments, stating they did not apply to the conduct outlined in the case.

McAfee’s decision follows his earlier ruling permitting District Attorney Fani Willis to proceed with her RICO case against Trump and his associates. In a detailed 23-page decision, McAfee directed Willis to address any potential conflicts of interest, instructing her to remove Nathan Wade, her romantic partner and lead prosecutor in the case.

Subsequently, Nathan Wade resigned from the RICO case, citing his commitment to democracy and expediting legal proceedings, despite the court’s determination that no actual conflict of interest existed.

Additionally, McAfee recently struck down six counts in Fani Willis’ indictment, including three charges against President Trump, marking another turn in the legal battle.