Mark Meadows withdraws emergency petition to delay trial

Mark Meadows, who was chief of staff under former President Donald Trump, told a federal appeals court Thursday he’s withdrawing his emergency petition to pause the proceedings against him in the Georgia criminal interference case.

Mr. Meadows this week asked the 11th U.S. Court of Appeals to issue an emergency order suspending his prosecution until his request to move the case to a federal court could be heard. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wanted to have Mr. Meadows head to trial in October, but a Georgia state judge on Thursday severed his case along with 17 others, including Mr. Trump, from the two defendants who will be tried next month.

Mr. Meadows had argued that his actions arose from his role as a federal employee. In a brief court filing, his legal team said the decision by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee meant the emergency motion was no longer necessary.

“Mr. Meadows wishes to withdraw his pending requests in light of this court’s expedited merits consideration and the state court’s new scheduling order,” the lawyers wrote.

Oral arguments were scheduled to be held via Zoom on Mr. Meadow’s emergency petition Friday. Defense attorneys said those arguments are no longer necessary because he has more time under the new trial schedule.

Mr. Meadows indicated that Ms. Willis did not oppose the request to drop the emergency motion, but the judge still needs to approve the decision.

Mr. Meadows is one of 19 people, including Mr. Trump, charged in Ms. Willis’ sprawling election interference case. The district attorney, a Democrat, alleges 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.