(The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from Mark Meadows, the former Trump White House chief of staff seeking to move his Georgia criminal case to federal court.
A Fulton County Grand Jury indicted Meadows on charges of soliciting the violation of oath by a public officer and conspiracy under state racketeering act. He is accused in indictments with 18 others, including Trump, of trying to overturn election results.
Lower courts rejected Meadows’ arguments that he was acting as a federal officer and his case should be removed from state court.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a December ruling the law cited by Meadows does not apply to “former” officers and that Meadows’ actions were not part of his official duties.
“Meadows’ ‘color’ of office did not include superintending state election procedures or electioneering on behalf of the Trump campaign,” the appellate court said. “Third, we conclude that Meadows’s association with the alleged conspiracy was not related to his office of chief of staff.”
Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The criminal case is on hold. An Appeals Court is considering a motion from Trump and others concerning Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ eligibility to try the case. She’s accused of a conflict of interest, stemming from a romantic relationship with her appointed special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
A hearing is set before the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia on Dec. 5.
