Mark Meadows’ Legal Move in Arizona Hit with Major Setback

Former Trump aide Mark Meadows faces setback as judge denies request to move Arizona fake elector case to federal court.

At a Glance

U.S. District Judge John Tuchi rejected Mark Meadows’ bid to shift Arizona charges to federal court
Meadows missed the deadline and failed to prove actions were within official duties
Case returns to Maricopa County Superior Court for further proceedings
Meadows faces similar charges in Georgia, has appealed to U.S. Supreme Court

Judge Rejects Meadows’ Federal Court Transfer Attempt

In a significant legal setback, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ attempt to move his charges in Arizona’s fake elector case to federal court has been denied. U.S. District Judge John Tuchi ruled that Meadows not only missed the deadline for such a request but also failed to demonstrate that the charges were related to his official duties while serving in the Trump administration.

The decision keeps the case within the jurisdiction of the Maricopa County Superior Court, where Meadows and 17 others, including Rudy Giuliani and Boris Epshteyn, face multiple felony counts. These charges stem from their alleged efforts to overturn former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in Arizona.

A judge has rejected a bid by Mark Meadows, former chief of staff to President Donald Trump, to move his charges in Arizona’s fake elector case to federal court, marking the second time he has failed in trying to get his charges out of state court. https://t.co/oE6CE5awsD

— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) September 17, 2024

Charges and Legal Strategy

Meadows, along with the other defendants, is charged with nine felony counts, including conspiracy, forgery, and fraudulent schemes. The indictment alleges that Meadows participated in a scheme to submit fake electors to Congress, despite knowing that Trump had lost the election in Arizona.

“Instead, the State has indicted Mr. Meadows for allegedly orchestrating and participating in an illegal electioneering scheme,” the judge wrote.

Meadows’ legal team had argued that his actions were part of his official duties as White House Chief of Staff and claimed immunity under the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. However, Judge Tuchi disagreed, stating that there was no causal connection between Meadows’ official authority and the conduct for which he is charged.

Federal Judge Denies Mark Meadows' Bid to Move Arizona Election Case to Federal Court

A federal judge has rejected Mark Meadows' attempt to move his criminal charges in Arizona's fake elector case from state court to federal court[5][6][7].

Specifically:

1. Federal Judge John… pic.twitter.com/hSc1uAa8YU

— P a u l ◉ (@ybarrap) September 16, 2024

Implications for Other Cases

This ruling in Arizona comes as Meadows faces similar charges in Georgia, where he has also failed to move the case to federal court. He has since appealed that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The consistent rejection of these transfer attempts may have broader implications for other defendants in election interference cases, including former President Trump.

“Meadows had hoped that moving the case to federal court would lead to a dismissal based on his claim of immunity as a federal officer.” – Source

Legal analysts suggest that Meadows’ court losses may be a bad sign for Trump’s own claims of presidential immunity in various cases. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus now returns to the state courts in Arizona and Georgia, where Meadows and his co-defendants will have to face the charges against them.