ATLANTA, GEORGIA: The clock is ticking down to the looming deadline for 19 defendants, including former President Donald Trump, to report to jail for booking in Georgia.
Mark Meadows, a key figure in Trump's inner circle, is striving to shift his trial from a state court to a federal one. On Tuesday, August 22, he filed a request in federal court, appealing for a delay in his booking.
Central to his argument is the claim that the alleged actions prompting the charges occurred while he was a federal employee.
Legal battle unfolds for Donald Trump and his co-defendants
The legal battle surrounding Trump and his co-defendants has intensified as the deadline approaches. The defendants, including Meadows, have been given until noon on Friday, August 25, to surrender, failing which Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is poised to issue arrest warrants.
While some defendants have complied, like John Eastman and Scott Hall who turned themselves in on Tuesday, others are seeking alternative legal paths.
Meadows's legal team attempted to secure an extension for his arrest, citing an upcoming hearing about potentially moving the case to federal court. However, Willis rejected the plea, asserting that no extensions would be granted. In a stern message, Willis indicated that if compliance was not met, arrest warrants would be filed by 12:30 pm on Friday, August 25.
Cases against Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani
Meadows faces two felony counts, including violating the Georgia Rico Act and solicitation of violation of oath from a public officer, as outlined in Willis's indictment. Although Meadows served as Trump's chief of staff for a relatively short period, his role during that time has drawn him into the heart of Trump's legal battles.
Rudy Giuliani, former Trump attorney, has taken a proactive step in light of the indictments. He is flying to Atlanta in search of local legal representation.
Giuliani, critical of the indictment, has called it an affront to American democracy, alleging that it harms the justice system irreparably. Despite his stance, Giuliani is navigating the challenge of securing legal support in Georgia.
Trump's political action committee has allocated significant funds for legal fees, reflecting the breadth of legal challenges faced by Trump and his associates. As the surrender deadline approaches, a list of those who have surrendered and those whose plans remain unclear is emerging.
Trump himself is expected to surrender on Thursday, August 24, adding to the anticipation and spectacle surrounding the ongoing legal proceedings.
Defendants in focus: Who has surrendered?
Here's a list of the key defendants involved in the ongoing legal drama, per ABC News:
1. Donald Trump: Former president - will surrender on Thursday, August 24.
2. Rudy Giuliani: Former Trump attorney - Surrender plans unclear.
3. John Eastman: Attorney - Surrendered on Tuesday, August 22.
4. Mark Meadows: Former Trump chief of staff - Asking the judge to block arrest.
5. Kenneth Chesebro: Former Trump campaign attorney - Surrender plans unclear.
6. Jeffrey Clark: Former Justice Department official - Asking the judge to block arrest.
7. Jenna Ellis: Former member of Trump legal team - Surrender plans unclear.
8. Ray Smith III: Lawyer who represented Trump in 2020 election challenges in Georgia - Surrender plans unclear.
9. Robert Cheeley: Atlanta lawyer - Surrender plans unclear.
10. Michael Roman: Former Trump staffer - Surrender plans unclear.
11. David Shafer: 2020 Republican elector and former chairman of the Georgia GOP - Surrender plans unclear.
12. Shawn Still: 2020 elector and current member of the Georgia Senate - Surrender plans unclear.
13. Stephen Lee: Illinois police chaplain - Surrender plans unclear.
14. Harrison Floyd: Executive director of Black Voices for Trump - Surrender plans unclear.
15. Trevian Kutti: Chicago-based publicist who represented Kanye West - Surrender plans unclear.
16. Sidney Powell: Former Trump legal team member - Surrender plans unclear.
17. Cathy Latham: 2020 elector and former chairwoman of the Coffee County Republican Party in Georgia - Surrender plans unclear.
18. Scott Hall: 2020 Fulton County Republican poll watcher - Surrendered on Tuesday, August 22.
19. Misty Hampton: Former Coffee County Elections Director - Surrender plans unclear.
The fate of each defendant remains uncertain as they navigate the charges and legal paths ahead. The unfolding surrenders and legal strategies are poised to shape the narrative of this high-stakes legal battle, leaving a significant mark on the post-presidential landscape.
