11th Circuit fast-tracks Meadows’ bid to have Georgia criminal case moved to federal court

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit wasted no time Tuesday taking up an emergency motion filed by Mark Meadows, President Trump’s former chief of staff, to move his Georgia criminal election interference case to a federal court.

Less than 24 hours after Mr. Meadows filed his motion, the appeals court directed prosecutors with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to file a response by noon on Wednesday and defense attorneys to file their answer by 5 p.m. the same day.

The 11th Circuit also told both sides that their briefs should address whether the Constitution allows former federal officials to have criminal prosecutions moved to a federal court, or whether it only allows “current federal officers” to have their cases transferred.

The brief, one-page order was issued by the 11th Circuit after Mr. Meadows filed an emergency motion seeking to pause an order that kept his Georgia state criminal charges in a state court, as he appeals the decision to a higher federal court.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones on Friday denied Mr. Meadows’ bid to have the case moved to the federal court system. The ruling enables the state court to enter a conviction for him if he is found guilty at trial.

Georgia prosecutors are seeking to try Mr. Meadows and 18 other defendants as early as Oct. 23.

Mr. Meadows is one of 19 co-defendants, along with former President Donald Trump, to be charged in Ms. Willis’ sprawling election interference case. Ms. Willis, a Democrat, alleges that the defendants engaged in an illegal conspiracy to try and reverse the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.

Mr. Meadows is charged with one count each of violating Georgia’s racketeering law and solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer.

The solicitation charges stem from Mr. Meadows arranging the Jan. 2, 2021, phone call in which Mr. Trump asked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” the votes necessary for him to win the state.

At least four other co-defendants in the case have sought to have their charges moved out of state court and into federal jurisdiction.