WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday failed former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ defense against charges of meddling in the 2020 Georgia election, rejecting an attempt to move his case from state to federal court.
His lawyers argued that the case should be moved because he was acting as a “federal official” at the time and could therefore argue for immunity from prosecution.
The argument failed in lower courts, with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that because Meadows was no longer a federal employee, the provision allowing the case to be brought to federal court did not apply to him.
The appeals court also found that even if he was considered a federal official, “the events giving rise to this criminal act were not related to Meadows’ official duties.”
Meadows also faces two counts the spreading Georgian election interference case For his role in efforts to keep Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. He begged not guilty.
There are 18 other defendants, including Trump himself, who have also pleaded not guilty to the charges.