Sunday, April 28, 2024

Report: Former White House Chief Of Staff Seeks To Move Georgia Prosecution To Federal Court

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Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows wants to transfer his state prosecution to federal court, a move that could eventually lead to the charges being dismissed.

Meadows, who served as Trump's Chief of Staff during the 2020 election, was among the 19 defendants named in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis‘ Monday night indictment. (RELATED: Trump Indicted In Georgia Election Probe)

Meadows was charged with two felony counts: one for racketeering and another for soliciting a public officer to violate the oath of office.

In court papers filed Tuesday, lawyers for Meadows argued that the case against him should be moved out of Georgia state court so that Meadows can argue in federal court that he is immune from the prosecution under the U.S. Constitution. The charges against him, his lawyers said, amount to “state interference in a federal official's duties” in violation of the Constitution's supremacy clause. Meadows intends to file a separate request for “prompt dismissal” of the charges, his lawyers added.

According to POLITICO, Meadows filed his motion in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, where his request was assigned to Judge Steve Jones, an Obama appointee.

“Mr. Meadows has the right to remove this matter,” Meadows' team wrote Tuesday, referring to the legal term, “removal,” used to designate the transfer of a case from state to federal court. “The conduct giving rise to the charges in the indictment all occurred during his tenure and as part of his service as Chief of Staff.”

Meadows is the first defendant to try to take the case federal, but likely won't be the last. Trump is expected to make a similar claim in Georgia.

A federal law, known as a “removal statute,” generally allows an “officer of the United States” facing charges in state court to transfer the proceedings to federal court if the alleged behavior falls under their governmental duties.

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Nancy Jackson
Nancy Jackson
Nancy grew up in the South where her passion for politics first began. After getting her BA in journalism from Ole Miss she became an arts and culture writer for Athens Magazine where she enjoyed reporting on the eclectic music and art scene in Athens, GA. However, her desire to report on issues and policies impacting everyday Americans won out and she packed her bags for Washington, DC. Now, she splits her time between the Nation’s Capital and Philadelphia where she covers the fast-paced environment of politics, business, and news. In her off time, you can find Nancy exploring museums or enjoying brunch with friends.

2 COMMENTS

  1. “soliciting a public officer to violate the oath of office”…. isn’t that charge rich coming from a Soris bought DA! These charges are a mockery in comparison to what Biden has done and is doing among many others who have committed treason against the U.S.

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