Mark Meadows, the former Chief of Staff at the White House, who was indicted alongside Donald Trump in Georgia, has lodged an urgent request with a federal court seeking to prevent his arrest while the decision is being made about transferring his case from state to federal court.
This move comes in response to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis declining to grant an extension for Meadows to surrender by noon on Friday. In his legal action, Meadows contended that he should be shielded from charges in Fulton County because they pertain to aspects of his federal duties. He argued that if the case is shifted to federal court, the charges should be dismissed.
Jeffrey Clark, a former Assistant Attorney General and another defendant, has also made a similar argument.
However, the deadline for defendants to present themselves for booking is set at noon on Friday. A hearing to address Meadows' request is slated for 10 a.m. on the following Monday.
Willis issued a warning that if Meadows fails to surrender by 12:30 p.m. on Friday, an arrest warrant will be issued.
"I am not granting any extensions," Willis communicated in an email to Meadows' legal team on Tuesday. "Your client is no different than any other criminal defendant in this jurisdiction." In his legal filing, Meadows contended that U.S. District Judge Steve Jones could either expedite the transfer of the case to federal court or prevent Willis from effecting his arrest. On August 16th, a day after Meadows filed his lawsuit, Judge Jones declined to render an immediate ruling in his favor.
Donald Trump and 18 others face charges of racketeering and related offenses in connection with their efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Meadows has been charged with soliciting Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to breach his oath of office by participating in a call on January 2, 2021, during which Trump urged the official to "find" sufficient votes for him to secure victory in the state.
All the defendants involved in the case are required to turn themselves in for booking at the sheriff's office by Friday. Several of them have reached agreements for bonds ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Donald Trump is anticipated to surrender on Thursday. Willis is expected to respond to the filings of Meadows and Clark on Wednesday.
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