A federal judge on Monday rejected an attempt by Donald Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows to move his 2020 Arizona election fraud case to federal court. Meadows had argued that his actions in Arizona fell within his “official duties” as Trump’s aide.
The former White House chief of staff was indicted earlier this year along with 17 other Trump allies for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election in several states where President Joe Biden won the popular vote. In Arizona, judges alleged that Meadows worked with Trump campaign officials to submit the names of false electors in an attempt to certify a false victory for Trump.
U.S. District Judge John Tuchi ruled that Meadows’ charges, including conspiracy and forgery, were entirely “unrelated” to his official duties as chief of staff, rendering his argument for moving the case irrelevant. He also noted that Meadows’ “untimely” request had missed the deadline for moving a case to federal court.
“While the Court appreciates Mr. Meadows’ theory that the Chief of Staff is responsible for acting as the President’s gatekeeper, that conclusion does not establish a causal connection between Mr. Meadows’ official authority and the conduct charged,” Tuchi wrote in the 15-page ruling.
“Mr. Meadows did not so much withdraw the state’s complaint as rewrite it,” he added.
In August 2023, Meadows was indicted on similar charges for his attempts to undermine the Georgia election, where President Joe Biden won by 12,670 votes.
Meadows also attempted to bring that case, but a judge denied his request in September 2023.
