Georgia Republicans say Fani Willis inquiry isn't a 'witch hunt,' but Democrats doubt good faith

ATLANTA (AP) — The Republican leading a specially-appointed Georgia state Senate committee that's supposed to investigate whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis committed misconduct proclaimed repeatedly Friday during the panel's first meeting that he seeks just the facts, but the lead Democrat begrudgingly serving on the panel said she doubts the group can overcome its partisan origins.

“It's important that the public understand that this is not any type of witch hunt,” said state Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens, the Republican picked to lead the panel. “This is a question of truth.”

The majority Republican Georgia Senate voted 30-19 last month to create a special investigative committee with subpoena power after allegations emerged that Willis had a conflict of interest in her prosecution of Donald Trump created by her “personal relationship” with a special prosecutor she hired for the case. Georgia legislative committees normally don't use subpoenas or require people to testify under oath.

A spokesperson for Willis didn't immediately respond Friday to a text message seeking comment.