Mark Meadows has escalated his legal battle concerning election interference charges in Georgia by petitioning the Supreme Court to transfer the case to federal court.

The former Trump White House chief of staff's request to the high court on presidential immunity grounds follows the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision in December to deny his initial attempt at relocation of the case headed up by D.A. Fani Willis, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The charges were brought against Meadows last year by Willis, who accused him of two counts of election interference.

Meadows’s petition became public over the weekend, revealing this significant step in his legal strategy made in light of a recent high court ruling on immunity.

Backdrop of the Legal Battle

The move to petition the Supreme Court stems from Meadows's argument presented to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where he claimed that the actions leading to the indictment were part of his official duties as chief of staff. However, the appellate court ruled otherwise, stating that Meadows’s actions were not part of his official duties.

This December decision by the appellate court was seen by Meadows's attorneys as defying statutory text, context, history, and common sense.

Supreme Court Petition Cites Presidential Immunity

In his Supreme Court petition, Meadows leveraged a recent ruling by the court concerning presidential immunity. This ruling was made in response to Donald Trump’s election case in Washington, D.C.

The petition argues that just as immunity protection for former officers is crucial for ensuring effective service by current and future officers, so too is the need for a federal forum to litigate such defenses. According to Meadows’s attorneys, the appellate court's decision went against the statutory text and common sense.

Broader Legal Implications

Trump has utilized this Supreme Court ruling in his legal battles in Florida and New York. Meadows’s petition is part of a broader strategy employed by Trump’s co-defendants in Georgia.

The petition to the Supreme Court was filed more than seven months after the 11th Circuit's denial, which is a longer-than-usual period for such interventions.

Meadows's attorneys were granted two extensions from Justice Clarence Thomas to file the request, partly due to Trump’s pending immunity case, which was still pending at the time.

Current Status of Proceedings

As the Supreme Court deliberates on Meadows’s request for a federal forum, the district court case is on hold.

This pause is pending an unrelated appellate decision on whether Fani Willis should be disqualified as prosecutor because of a potential conflict of interest.

The Georgia Court of Appeals is scheduled to address the arguments regarding Willis's disqualification in December.

Lawyer’s Statements Highlight the Case's Complexity

Meadows’s attorneys emphasized the need for a federal forum due to the complex questions about the duties and powers of high federal officeholders.

They argued that the decision by the appellate court was contrary to history and basic common sense.

Their petition to the Supreme Court insists that former officials deserve the same federal removal rights as current officials.

Conclusion

In summary, Mark Meadows has petitioned the Supreme Court to transfer his election interference charges in Georgia to federal court. This follows a ruling against him by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Supreme Court's decision will be pivotal as it deliberates on the broader implications of federal removal and presidential immunity.