Fani Willis had a make-or-break day—and Aaron Rodgers has some thoughts on...buildings

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Support our nonprofit journalism]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     March 15, 2024 Let's start with the biggest news of the day. Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney who came under intense scrutiny, as well as [racist and sexist attacks](, over her romantic relationship with a top deputy, can continue to oversee the Georgia criminal prosecution of Donald Trump—as long as the former romantic partner steps aside. My colleague Pema Levy reports on [Judge Scott McAfee's ruling today](, which rejected allegations that the affair created "an actual conflict of interest" to support calls for Willis' removal. (McAfee said the relationship did establish an "appearance of impropriety.") Willis has yet to comment on the decision but it seems likely she'll accept the terms; stepping down herself would essentially kill the case against Trump. What exactly is the case, again? I don't blame you if you need a refresher. [Here's Pema with the key context](: Willis had spent three years building her case against Trump. It began shortly after Trump’s infamous phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in January 2021, in which Trump demanded that Raffensperger find the votes Trump needed to eek out a win in the state. A special grand jury heard testimony for six months before recommending indictments. Willis then brought the case to a different grand jury that, last August, handed up a massive racketeering [indictment]( against Trump and 18 co-defendants. Four have since pleaded guilty. Ah, right! [This is the case with all the mug shots](. Gotcha. Moving on, my colleague Tim Murphy has a must-read post on [one of the few athletes I know by name: Aaron Rodgers](. He, of Shailene Woodley romantic partner fame, was in the news this week for two reasons. First, Rodgers is reportedly being considered for the role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate. CNN also reported on his alleged history of telling people that the 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting was staged. These are two repulsive reasons to be in the headlines. But Tim reports on the [little-noticed theory Rodgers pushed]( this week while attempting to clean up those Sandy Hook allegations. [Enjoy](. —Inae Oh Advertisement [Mother Jones House Sustainer Ad]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [Fani Willis Can Remain in Charge of Trump Prosecution in Georgia]( A judge rejected the effort to disqualify the Fulton County DA—so long as prosecutor Nathan Wade steps down. BY PEMA LEVY MOJO MUST-LISTENS BY REVEAL   Mother Jones and The Center for Investigative Reporting have [joined forces](! [Subscribe to the Reveal podcast]( for in-depth investigative journalism at its finest. Each episode brings to light untold stories and critical issues, with meticulous research and compelling storytelling. Stay informed and engaged with the world around you. [Subscribe today]( and never miss an episode of Reveal, where truth and storytelling meet. [Trending] [Justice Ginsburg's family decries bestowing RBG award on Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch]( BY DAVID CORN AND ALI BRELAND   [The Crumbleys have been convicted. Black parents will likely pay a price, too.]( BY NIA T. EVANS   [It’s not just Sandy Hook. Aaron Rodgers has some very strange thoughts about...buildings.]( BY TIM MURPHY   [New EPA rule cracks down on toxic chemical that sterilizes medical equipment]( BY LYLLA YOUNES Advertisement [Mother Jones House Subscription Ad]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( ["They would throw me into a cage and treat me like an animal."]( What Alaska foster kids were up against inside Universal Health Services facilities. AS TOLD TO JULIA LURIE MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE   An important update on our finances We’re falling behind our online fundraising goals—and we can’t sustain coming up short on [donations]( month after month. 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