Trump says he ‘may’ seek to remove Georgia RICO case to federal court
Kaelan Deese
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Former President Donald Trump on Thursday told the judge overseeing the Fulton County, Georgia, election subversion case that he “may” try to move his state case to federal court.
Attorneys for Trump had previously indicated an interest in trying to remove the case from state to federal court, which could help him fight the 13 charges he faces by invoking immunity protections for federal officials and produce a more favorable jury pool.
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“President Trump hereby notifies the Court that he may seek removal of his prosecution to federal court,” his lawyer Steven Sadow wrote in a court filing. “To be timely, his notice of removal must be filed within 30-days of his arraignment.”
Trump’s 30-day countdown to remove his case began on Aug. 31, when he waived his right to an arraignment hearing and pleaded not guilty.
At least five other defendants in the 19-defendant case have sought to have their case taken out of state court, which could come with benefits if they are granted, such as gaining a more conservative jury pool. A trial in federal court, however, would avoid TV camera footage of the testimony.
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Trump could be provided more avenues to see his charges dropped if he can convince a judge that the alleged actions in the indictment were tied to his formal duties as president. His former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, is awaiting a decision by U.S. District Judge Steve Jones over his bid to have his case moved to federal court.
Jones has said he may rule any day following a hearing last month in which Meadows testified for more than three hours. A similar hearing is slated for Sep. 20 for former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who also wants his case removed from state court.