Trump notifies Georgia court he ‘may seek removal of prosecution to federal court’

On Thursday, Donald Trump notified Georgia Superior Court judge Scott McAfee that he was possibly projecting on moving his election interference case out of the state into federal court.

The former president has pleaded not guilty to the wealth of charges brought against him by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

“President Trump hereby notifies the Court that he may seek removal of his prosecution to federal court under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1442 & 1455,” attorney Steven Sadow wrote in a notice to McAfee.

“His written waiver of arraignment was filed on August 31, 2023. 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.

If the move is accepted, Trump may be able to prompt immunity protections for federal officials, according to CNN.

Trump along with his associates were charged with violating the Georgia RICO Act, solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer, false statements and writings, impersonating a public officer, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, forgery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, criminal attempt to commit filing false documents, conspiracy to commit filing false documents, criminal attempt to commit influencing witnesses, influencing witnesses, conspiracy to commit election fraud, conspiracy to commit computer theft, conspiracy to commit computer trespass, conspiracy to commit computer invasion of privacy, conspiracy to defraud the state, and perjury.

The former president recently stated that he would “absolutely” testify in his own defense.

@SimonAteba on Twitter (X) :

“BREAKING: Former President Donald Trump has just informed the judge in the Georgia election interference case that he might attempt to transfer the state case to federal court, potentially using federal official immunity protections to have the charges dropped.”

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.

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.