Judge denies Meadows bid to move Georgia case to federal court

A judge on Friday rejected a bid from former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows to move his charges in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's election probe to federal court.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones issued the ruling, saying that "Meadows’s alleged association with post-election activities was not related to his role as White House Chief of Staff or his executive branch authority."

Meadows may still appeal the ruling, according to Politico.

The former Trump aide was one of 18 co-defendants, alongside former President Donald Trump, against whom Willis brought charges in connection with the ex-commander-in-chief's efforts to challenge the 2020 election results in the Peach State.

He faces charges under the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

The former North Carolina congressman pleaded not guilty this week after waving arraignment. He previously agreed to post $100,000 bond.

Jones's ruling is a win for Willis, who has sought to try all of the defendants together and to keep their cases in state court. Former President Donald Trump's legal team notified the court this week that he may seek to move his case to a federal court as well. 

A change is venue could conceivably benefit the defendants, as it would widen the field from which to select the jury, expanding it to much of northern Georgia instead of the heavily Democratic Atlanta area.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.