Phoenix, AZ – A federal judge has rejected Mark Meadows’ attempt to move his charges in Arizona’s fake elector case to federal court, marking the second time the former chief of staff to President Donald Trump has failed to shift his case from state court. U.S. District Judge John Tuchi ruled on Monday that Meadows missed the deadline for requesting the transfer, did not provide sufficient reasons for doing so, and failed to demonstrate that the charges were related to his official duties as chief of staff.
Meadows is facing multiple charges in both Arizona and Georgia as part of an alleged illegal scheme to overturn the 2020 election results in favor of Donald Trump. While Meadows is not a fake elector himself, prosecutors accuse him of working alongside other Trump campaign officials to submit a slate of false electors from Arizona and other states.
The ruling returns Meadows’ case to Maricopa County Superior Court, where he and other defendants face charges of forgery, fraud, and conspiracy. Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Arizona and Georgia.
County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stated that Meadows’ election-related efforts were not part of his official duties as a federal employee. The indictment alleges that Meadows played a key role in arranging meetings and phone calls with state officials to advance the fake elector conspiracy.
Meadows’ attorneys have argued that the charges against him are not criminal, emphasizing that his role involved relaying messages to Trump rather than orchestrating an illegal scheme. Despite their efforts, Judge Tuchi ruled that the case focuses on Meadows’ involvement in a broader electioneering plot, not on his duties as chief of staff.
As of now, no trial date has been set, and it is unclear if Meadows will appeal the ruling.
For further updates, please contact the Maricopa County Superior Court.
