Topline
Attorneys for Mark Meadows—the former White House chief of staff—said in a filing Tuesday that his election interference case in Georgia should be removed to federal court—a move that could reportedly lead to a similar appeal from former President Donald Trump and have significant legal implications for the ex-president if granted.
Meadows was one of several named in the Georgia election interference case. (Photo by Alex … [+] Wong/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Meadows’ attorneys argued that because he was a federal official at the time of his alleged violation of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, he is covered by a statute that allows for the removal of a state-level prosecution against a federal official.
The attorneys cited the statute in a filing, which says that it protects the federal government from state-level interference of its normal operations.
The filing goes on to say that nothing Meadows is alleged to have done is necessarily criminal, arguing that activities such as arranging Oval Office meetings and setting up a phone call with the president are expected of a president’s chief of staff.
If Trump can have his case transferred to federal court, he could avoid the Georgia state rules that would allow for a potential mugshot and televised criminal trial during his case.
A conviction in Georgia state court would also mean Trump couldn’t pardon himself if he were reelected president.
Key Background
Trump’s indictment in Georgia came as a result of his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state, resulting in his fourth slate of felony charges this year. All of his indictments have yet to reach the trial phase. In Georgia, Trump had 13 felony counts levied against him, including conspiracy to commit forgery, making false statements, filing false documents and violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act—a statute that prohibits racketeering and is punishable by a fine and/or five to 20 years in prison. If he were convicted of every count, Trump could be sentenced to a maximum of a little more than 76 years in prison, though such a harsh sentence is highly unlikely. Trump’s former attorney, Rudy Giuliani, and right-wing legal scholar John Eastman were also among those named in the indictments, which contain 41 cumulative counts brought against the defendants.
Big Number
91. That’s the total number of felony counts Trump has racked up across his four indictments this year.
Further Reading
