![Tyson Foods Plant [Photo: Food Manufacturing]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock_1185520857__1_.5e441daa51cca-600x337.jpg)
![Silverado Senior Living Management Inc. [Photo: Los Angeles Times]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/download-6-4-600x337.jpg)
![China's Wuhan Institute of Virology [Photo: Nature]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/d41586-021-01529-3_19239608-600x337.jpg)
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows who stands as one of the co-defendants facing charges in connection with the Georgia 2020 election investigation, has taken a strategic legal step. On Tuesday, he filed court documents with the aim of transferring the newly established Fulton County case to a federal court.
In their filing, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ legal team detailed a range of activities performed by Meadows as part of his duties as chief of staff, including organizing Oval Office meetings, liaising with state officials on Trump’s behalf, visiting state government facilities, and arranging phone calls. (Photo: The Sun)
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows Seeks Federal Court Transfer
In the 14-page filing, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows asserts that the charges levied against him specifically pertain to actions he undertook during his tenure as part of the Trump administration, a published article reported.
The legal team of former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows presented a compelling argument, stating Meadows has the right to remove this matter.
The lawyers further emphasized that former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows seeks “prompt removal” according to a relevant federal law, which allows U.S. officers facing either civil actions or criminal prosecutions in state courts due to actions taken “under color” of their offices, to shift these proceedings to a U.S. District Court. Additionally, Meadows’ lawyers indicated his intention to file a motion for the dismissal of the indictment “as soon as is feasible.”
The potential transfer of the case to federal court could have implications for the selection of the jury pool, possibly resulting in a more favorable environment for the defendants. Moreover, it could result in a courtroom devoid of cameras, ensuring a measure of privacy.
In their filing, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ legal team detailed a range of activities performed by Meadows as part of his duties as chief of staff, including organizing Oval Office meetings, liaising with state officials on Trump’s behalf, visiting state government facilities, and arranging phone calls.
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, once a congressman from North Carolina who now resides in South Carolina, has previously resisted attempts to have him testify regarding his actions in the final weeks of Trump’s presidency.
READ ALSO: FBI terrorism investigation, juvenile charged as an adult
Charges Against Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows
The indictment, announced on Monday, charged former President Donald Trump, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and 17 others with felonies connected to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. The investigation was initiated by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
Within the sprawling 41-count indictment, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows faces two counts, including violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and soliciting the violation of an oath by a public officer.
The indictment outlines that former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, along with Trump and other unindicted co-conspirators, “unlawfully solicited, requested, and importuned” Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on January 2, 2021.
The indictment references Trump’s well-publicized phone call urging Raffensperger to “find” the necessary votes to secure his victory in the state over Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
The indictment, spanning 98 pages, presents a series of alleged schemes aimed at overturning the election outcomes. These include pressuring state officials to alter results, accessing voting machines and related data in Coffee County, and pressuring election worker Ruby Freeman to falsely confess to election-related crimes.
Furthermore, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows declined a subpoena for testimony from the House January 6 committee, which subsequently led to a referral to the Justice Department for potential criminal contempt of Congress charges. However, the Justice Department decided not to pursue prosecution against him.
READ ALSO: Kansas Newspaper’s Lawyer Requests Police to Wait for Hearing Before Reviewing Seized Data
