A judge overseeing Mark Meadows’ election interference case in Georgia has requested “limited additional briefing” before rendering a decision on whether the case should be moved from state court to federal court. Meadows is facing charges for allegedly attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results through his involvement in the January 2nd phone call between former President Donald Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
During an evidentiary hearing, Meadows argued that his actions were within his role as Trump’s chief of staff and should therefore be heard in federal court. However, prosecutors claim that his actions were purely political and unrelated to his official duties, making them ineligible for removal to federal court.
The judge’s order asks both sides to consider whether Meadows’ actions, if some were performed in his official role and others were not, would still qualify for federal removal. Both sides have been given until Thursday afternoon to submit their responses.
In other developments, several of the 18 other defendants in the case have waived their formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Former Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell, publicist Trevian Kutti, and Georgia attorney Ray Smith III all entered not guilty pleas.
Furthermore, co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro has filed a motion requesting that various records in the case, including the special grand jury report and transcripts of testimony, be unsealed. Chesebro is scheduled to stand trial on October 23rd. His attorneys argue that these materials are crucial for his proper trial preparation, as many witnesses who testified before the special grand jury are expected to testify at his trial.
These developments come after a sweeping racketeering indictment was issued earlier this month, charging former President Donald Trump, Chesebro, Smith, and 16 others for alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Trump has maintained that his actions were legal and that the investigation is politically motivated.