Judge denies Mark Meadows’ bid to remove his Georgia election case to federal court

A federal judge has denied former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ bid to move his Fulton County election interference case to federal court.

“Having considered the arguments and the evidence, the Court concludes that Meadows has not met his burden,” Judge Steve Jones wrote in a 49-page order filed Friday.

Meadows had sought to have his case moved based on a federal law that calls for the removal of criminal proceedings brought in state court to the federal court system when someone is charged for actions they allegedly took as a federal official acting “under color” of their office.

“The court DECLINES to assume jurisdiction over the State’s criminal prosecution of Meadows under 28 U.S.C 1455 and REMANDS the case to Fulton County Superior Court,” the judge’s order said.

Meadows, former President Donald Trump, and 17 others have pleaded not guilty to all charges in a sweeping racketeering indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia.

The former president says his actions were not illegal and that the investigation is politically motivated.