Mark Meadows, who used to work as Chief of Staff for President Trump, appeared before a panel of three federal judges at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He was trying to move the charges against him related to election interference in Georgia from the state court to the federal court. This legal battle is part of Meadows’ ongoing attempt, along with former President Donald Trump and 17 others, to change where their case will be heard. They’re accused of allegedly trying to manipulate the 2020 election results in Georgia.
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First Subheading: Appellate Court Deliberation
At the hearing on Friday, judges appointed by Bush, Obama, and Biden questioned Meadows’ legal team and the Fulton County district attorney’s office intensely. They were examining Meadows’ attempt to move the case from state to federal court using a law about actions done as part of one’s official role.
Meadows, who said he’s innocent, wasn’t in court while his lawyer argued that what he’s accused of falls under his duties as the top White House official.
However, the judges seemed unsure about whether federal laws applied here. They were curious about Meadows’ job and whether what he did was actually part of his official duties or if it was more about supporting a specific political side.
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Second Subheading: Judicial Scrutiny and Argument Dynamics
Judge Robin Rosenbaum, chosen by Obama, questioned Terwilliger’s claim by pointing out Meadows’ own words in his testimony. She described Meadows’ actions as supporting a particular political candidate through electioneering.
Chief Judge William Pryor Jr., selected by Bush, disagreed with the argument that leaving the case in state court would interfere with the Biden administration. He stressed that the law’s purpose is to enforce federal laws in federal courts.
READ ALSO: Trump indictment: Notable investigations, lawsuits he is dealing with.
