Reports indicate that Former President Donald Trump’s legal team is considering a request to move his case out of the jurisdiction of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and into a federal court.
One defendant in the case, Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff, has already filed to have his case transferred to federal court, invoking a federal law that allows individuals who were federal officeholders at the time of an alleged criminal act to have their cases heard in federal court.
Experts suggest that Trump might follow the same strategy, potentially transferring his case from the Fulton County Superior Court to a local federal court, which could have implications for the trial dynamics.
Transferring the case to federal jurisdiction could lead to at least two separate trials – one in state court and another before a federal judge. Legal scholars anticipate this could make the legal proceedings more complex.
Former President Trump is facing a 41-count indictment, including charges related to Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) violations, solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery, and more. The indictment alleges the RICO conspiracy operated across multiple states.
Some of Trump’s attorneys have criticized the indictment, questioning the expansion of jurisdiction and the inclusion of his lawyers, legal advisors, and members of the Republican Party as alleged co-conspirators.
The move to shift the case to federal court is seen as an attempt to alter the legal landscape and potentially gain advantages in the trial, as Trump seeks to regain the presidency in 2024 and navigate legal challenges.