Federal Court Rejects Mark Meadows’ Attempt to Move Georgia Election Interference Case

Federal Judge Rejects Mark Meadows’ Bid to Move Criminal Case to Federal Court

In a significant setback for former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and a troubling sign for former President Donald Trump, a federal judge rejected Meadows’ request to move his Georgia criminal case to federal court. The ruling has significant implications for Trump and his 18 co-defendants in the Fulton County district attorney’s racketeering case.

Meadows was the first of five defendants who sought to transfer their cases to federal court, with Trump expected to follow suit. Meadows argued that his case should be moved because the allegations in the indictment were connected to his official duties as White House chief of staff. His lawyers hoped for a dismissal by invoking federal immunity for individuals prosecuted or sued for conduct related to their government roles.

However, US District Court Judge Steve Jones ruled that Meadows had not met the threshold for removal to federal court. The judge stated that Meadows’ activities for the Trump campaign fell outside the scope of his federal role as chief of staff. Engaging in political activities exceeded the limits of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff, as defined by the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal officials from engaging in political activity as part of their official duties.

The ruling not only affects Meadows but also sets the tone for the other defendants attempting to move their cases. It poses a challenge for those hoping to rely on the same federal immunity protections. Meadows’ testimony during the removal bid hearing could potentially be used against him by prosecutors in future proceedings.

Trump’s lawyers had already indicated their intention to move his case to federal court after the charges against him and his co-defendants were filed. Meadows’ rejection adds to the urgency, as Trump has 30 days from his not guilty plea to file for a transfer. Other defendants, including former Trump administration DOJ official Jeffrey Clark and three Georgia GOP officials, have also filed motions to move their cases to federal court.

While Meadows’ motion was denied, the arguments put forth by the other defendants differ slightly. They claim they acted as fake electors at Trump’s direction. However, their link to the federal government is less direct than Meadows’, making their case for removal to federal court more tenuous.

Moving the cases to federal court would be advantageous for Meadows and the other defendants. They could make immunity claims under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and potentially have a more sympathetic jury pool. The federal court district that includes Fulton County contains the Republican-leaning northern part of the state, unlike the deep-blue county courthouse where the case is currently being heard.

During his hearing, Meadows testified for over three hours about his role in the White House after the 2020 election. He argued that all his actions were part of his job as chief of staff, even when they involved political matters. However, Fulton County prosecutors questioned Meadows about his involvement in setting up phone calls with campaign lawyers and subpoenaed Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who testified that there was no federal government role in certifying the state’s elections.

The rejection of Meadows’ request signals a challenging road ahead for Trump and his co-defendants in the Fulton County case. As the situation continues to unfold, updates will be provided.

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Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-08 22:11:00