Current:Home > StocksTrump may try to have his Georgia election interference case removed to federal court -TradeBridge
Trump may try to have his Georgia election interference case removed to federal court
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-08 22:46:08
Attorneys for former President Donald Trump have notified Georgia state court in Fulton County that they may seek to remove his election interference case to federal court, according to a court filing.
If Trump seeks removal to federal court, he would be the sixth defendant in District Attorney Fani Willis' sweeping racketeering case to do so, joining former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former DOJ official, Jeffrey Clark, former Coffee County GOP chair Cathy Latham, current Georgia state Sen. Shawn Still, and former Georgia GOP chair David Shafer.
Meadows' motion for removal, filed on Aug. 15 by his attorney George Terwilliger and Atlanta-based attorney Joseph Englert, is based on a federal law that they argue requires the removal of criminal proceedings brought in state court to the federal court system when someone is charged for actions they allegedly took as a federal official acting "under color" of their office.
MORE: Why Trump, other Georgia defendants might try to get cases removed to federal court
Shafer, in a separate filing Thursday, accused one of the lead prosecutors in the case of an "improper communication" with him after he was charged -- and is requesting an evidentiary hearing and sanctions on the matter.
Shafer, who was one of Trump's so-called "fake electors" in the alleged election interference plot, claims in the filing that the private law firm of Fulton County special prosecutor Nathan Wade sent a mailer to his home essentially offering him representation by the firm of the prosecutor that indicted him.
The filing says the front of the brochure sent to Shafer's home "features a photo of Special Prosecutor Wade and [his partner] smiling." The inside, the filing states, directs Shafer to "please contact us today to discuss your criminal case."
The filing also says that the mailer included a letter with Shafer's name on it, written by special prosecutor Wade's partner, with the subject "IMPERSONATING A PUBLIC OFFICER"-- the very charge that Shafer faces in the indictment.
Shafer's attorney, Craig Gillen, says in the filing that the mailer is in "violation of the anti-contact provision," but claims that it is "far more egregious than a typical violation of the rule, given the fact that it constitutes a communication with a criminal defendant by the lead prosecuting attorney's law firm regarding charges in which the attorney has been responsible for bringing."
The filing asks the judge in the case to hold an evidentiary hearing on the matter.
The Fulton County district attorney's office declined to comment when contacted by ABC News.
Wade's law partner in his private firm did not immediately return a request for comment.
Trump and 18 others have pleaded not guilty to all charges in a Fulton County indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia.
The former president says his actions were not illegal and that the investigation is politically motivated.
veryGood! (3764)
Related
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Giants TE Tommy Sweeney 'stable, alert' after 'scary' medical event at practice
- Judge temporarily blocks new Tennessee House Republican ban on signs
- WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk, 'one of the toughest' wrestling stars, dies at 79
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Wisconsin Democrats want to ban sham lawsuits as GOP senator continues fight against local news site
- Vanessa Bryant Sends Message to Late Husband Kobe Bryant on What Would've Been His 45th Birthday
- How Zendaya Is Navigating Her and Tom Holland's Relationship Amid Life in the Spotlight
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Khloe Kardashian Fiercely Defends Sister Kim Kardashian From Body-Shaming Comment
Ranking
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Tensions high in San Francisco as city seeks reversal of ban on clearing homeless encampments
- Ambulance dispatcher dies after being shot in parking lot over weekend; estranged husband in custody
- Mother of Army private in North Korea tells AP that her son ‘has so many reasons to come home’
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- 'Barbie' rehearsal footage shows Ryan Gosling as Ken cracking up Greta Gerwig: Watch
- Why a stranger's hello can do more than just brighten your day
- Ex-New York police chief who led Gilgo Beach investigation arrested for soliciting sex
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
Turtle Salmonella outbreak? CDC warns the pets may be responsible as 11 states report cases
Wisconsin Democrats want to ban sham lawsuits as GOP senator continues fight against local news site
Woman killed while getting her mail after driver drifts off Pennsylvania road
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Climate change may force more farmers and ranchers to consider irrigation -- at a steep cost
More than 100,000 people have been evacuated over 3 weeks from flooding in Pakistan
Turtle Salmonella outbreak? CDC warns the pets may be responsible as 11 states report cases