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FOX NewsAug 19, 2023
Mark Meadows Requests to Move Georgia Case to Federal Court
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The Facts
On Tuesday, former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows petitioned the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia to transfer his charges in the Georgia 2020 election interference case to federal court.
The court filing argues that he is entitled to bring a federal immunity defense because the Georgia state charges against him stem from his behavior as then-President Trump's chief of staff.
Federal officers are generally allowed to transfer state charges to federal court if the alleged conduct falls under the official's duties, with Meadows' lawyers adding that this prosecution amounts to state interference with the federal government.
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Federal law leaves no doubt that criminal proceedings brought in state court must be moved to a federal court if the alleged crimes took place when the defendant was operating in a federal role. Given that the activities for which Meadows was indicted are within the scope of his duties as the White House chief of staff, this shift of venue is fully justified.
Democratic narrative
It's hard to believe that a court will be convinced that Meadows was acting under his official duties when he attempted to use his authority to try to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election, particularly because his text message to the office of the Georgia Secretary of State Chief Investigator is enough evidence that his involvement in the plot was not part of his role.
