Mark Meadows' removal denied

Meadows argued in court filings and at an Aug. 28 hearing that he met a three-pronged threshold to move his charges out of Fulton County, Ga., Superior Court and under federal jurisdiction because he was an officer of the United States, the felony counts he faces stemmed from actions done under that office and that he raised a "colorable federal defense."

Judge Steve Jones, an Obama appointee, disagreed.

  NPR

Things are bad in this country in many ways, the judiciary being one of the most dire. We shouldn't be having to say who appointed judges. Judgeships should not be political. But here we are.

In a 49-page order, Jones found that only one of Meadows' alleged actions in connection with a larger scheme to undermine Georgia's already-certified election results was within his official duties and therefore protected under federal law.

And that one can be dropped by DA Willis.

Jones, who acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the case and the little-used removal process, was unsparing in his assessment of Meadows' defense of his actions.

"When questioned about the scope of his authority, Meadows was unable to explain the limits of his authority, other than his inability to stump for the President or work on behalf of the campaign," Jones wrote. "The Court finds that Meadows did not adequately convey the outer limits of authority, and thus, the Court gives that testimony less weight."

[...]

At least four other defendants are also seeking to move their cases, including three Republican officials who argue their roles as presidential elector nominees – where they falsely claimed to be official electors for the state – gives them federal protection.

[...]

The order is likely to be appealed, setting up a potentially months-long delay in resolution while Willis prepares for the potential of multiple trials.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

UPDATE 12:28 pm:  And appealed.

UPDATE 01:16 pm:

UPDATE 09/13/2023: