Mark Meadows Seeks Federal Court Shift for Arizona’s Controversial Fake Elector Case

PHOENIX — A hearing is scheduled for Thursday where a judge will consider Mark Meadows’ request to transfer his charges in Arizona’s fake elector case to federal court. The former chief of staff to Donald Trump argues that his actions, taken while in office, warrant federal jurisdiction and immunity under the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Meadows is facing charges related to an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 election results that favored Trump. This case follows an unsuccessful attempt last year to move similar charges in Georgia to federal court, which was denied by a judge and later upheld on appeal.

The Arizona indictment, filed by Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office, rebuts Meadows’ claims. The prosecution asserts that he missed the deadline for a transfer request and contends that his involvement in electioneering was not part of his official duties as chief of staff.

While Meadows is not listed as a fake elector in Arizona, prosecutors allege he collaborated with Trump campaign associates to submit fake elector names to Congress following Trump’s defeat in November 2020. President Biden won Arizona by a narrow margin of 10,457 votes.

In addition to Meadows, the indictment names 18 Republicans involved in the alleged conspiracy. Key defendants include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and those who purportedly submitted fraudulent documents claiming Trump had won the state.

Meadows’ legal team emphasizes that their client’s actions do not constitute a crime, framing them as communications with individuals aiming to influence Trump on election-related matters. They seek the dismissal of the case entirely.

As the legal landscape develops, Meadows remains not guilty of forgery, fraud, and conspiracy charges. Although Trump is not indicted in Arizona, he is characterized as an unindicted coconspirator in the ongoing proceedings.

The Arizona case is part of a broader investigation, with criminal charges also filed regarding similar fake elector schemes in Michigan, Nevada, Georgia, and Wisconsin.

On December 14, 2020, eleven individuals claiming to be Arizona’s Republican electors met in Phoenix to affirm that they were “duly elected and qualified” electors, a document that was later sent to Congress and ignored.