In a seemingly futile attempt to evade justice, former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows is intensifying his legal defense and appealing to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for a rehearing of his bid to transfer his Georgia 2020 election racketeering charges to federal court. Despite a recent rejection by a three-judge panel, Meadows, in court filings on Tuesday, pressed for a reconsideration, hinting at a potential escalation to the Supreme Court.
The move to shift the case to federal jurisdiction holds strategic significance for Meadows, as it could provide him with a platform to assert immunity and seek dismissal of charges related to the alleged 2020 election interference. Such a tactic could jeopardize Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s prosecution efforts against Meadows and other co-defendants, including former President Trump, who face charges connected to their alleged roles in overturning President Biden’s victory.
Successfully moving the case to federal court would not only present Meadows with an opportunity for immunity but also enable a change in venue, potentially influencing the composition of the jury and ensuring federal oversight. Moreover, the relocation could eliminate the possibility of televising the trial.
In a bid to strengthen his defense, Meadows has enlisted the services of legal heavyweight Paul Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general known for his extensive experience arguing before the Supreme Court. Clement’s addition to Meadows’s legal team is accompanied by Erin Murphy, another prominent appellate advocate and named partner in Clement’s firm, as well as associate Zachary Lustbader.
Meadows, indicted alongside Trump and others, faces charges related to his alleged unlawful efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Meadows is relying on federal law that allows officials to move criminal charges from state to federal court if they can demonstrate a plausible federal defense related to actions taken in their official capacity.
However, the 11th Circuit panel’s recent ruling countered Meadows’s argument, asserting that only currently serving officials can avail themselves of the removal statute. Meadows and his legal team, including Clement, vehemently contest this decision, labeling it as “profoundly wrong” and contradictory to established legal principles.
