New prosecutor takes on Trump's Georgia election case after Fani Willis disqualified

The council's director, Peter Skandalakis, said he would take the case on after he was unable to find another prosecutor to do it.

"The filing of this appointment reflects my inability to secure another conflict prosecutor to assume responsibility for this case," Skandalakis said. "Several prosecutors were contacted and, while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment."

The biggest blow to the prosecution came last year, however, when the Georgia Court of Appeals disqualified Willis, finding that she had an undisclosed romantic relationship with her lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, and that it presented a conflict of interest. Her disqualification flipped the case into the hands of the state agency to decide what to do with it.

"The public has a legitimate interest in the outcome of this case. Accordingly, it is important that someone make an informed and transparent determination about how best to proceed," Skandalakis said.

Trump this week pardoned Meadows, Giuliani and others facing accusations related to the 2020 election, but the president's clemency only applies to federal charges.

Trump's defense lawyer Steve Sadow said in a statement he expects the Georgia case will still be tossed out.

"This politically charged prosecution has to come to an end," Sadow said. "We remain confident that a fair and impartial review will lead to a dismissal of the case against President Trump."

Claudia Kelly-Bazan contributed to this report.