Judge denies Mark Meadows bid to move Georgia election case to federal court

A Georgia federal judge ruled Friday that former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows could be tried in Georgia state court in connection with attempts by former President Donald Trump to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Meadows, one of 18 Trump allies and supporters indicted last month alongside the former president, had argued that he was being charged in connection with actions he took during his official duties, and that federal court was the proper venue to hear the case.

US District Judge Steve Jones disagreed, writing in a 49-page opinion that Meadows’ official duties “did not include working with or working for the Trump campaign, except for simply coordinating the President’s schedule, traveling with the President to his campaign events, and redirecting communications to the campaign. Thus, consistent with his testimony and the federal statutes and regulations, engaging in political activities is [sic] exceeds the outer limits of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff.”

“The Constitution does not provide any basis for executive branch involvement with State election and post-election procedures,” wrote Jones before turning to the now-infamous Jan. 2, 2021, phone call in which Trump and Meadows participated with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. On the call, Trump was recorded asking Raffensperger to “find” enough votes in Georgia to overturn his loss to Joe Biden.

“[T]he Court finds that these contributions to the phone call with Secretary Raffensperger went beyond those activities that are within the official role of White House Chief of Staff, such as scheduling the President’s phone calls, observing meetings, and attempting to wrap up meetings in order to keep the President on schedule,” the judge added. “Rather, Meadows’s participation on the January 2, 2021 call was political in nature and involved the President’s private litigation, neither of which are related to the scope of the Office of White House Chief of Staff.”

There was no immediate comment from Meadows on the decision, but Jones’ ruling is likely to be appealed.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.