In a dramatic twist, former President Donald Trump’s lawyer, Steven Sadow, hints at potentially moving the Georgia racketeering and conspiracy charges against Trump to federal court. This significant shift comes with implications.
Analysts at CNN suggest this move might be part of a strategic play. Transferring to a federal court could boost Trump’s chances of having these charges dismissed, especially if he can convincingly argue that challenging the 2020 election results was a presidential duty.
Interestingly, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlights a possible tactical advantage: the jury dynamics. In Fulton County, Trump secured only about 27% of the 2020 votes. However, in federal court, depending on the jury pool’s source, Trump’s voter share could be as high as 46%, potentially changing the trial’s complexion.
Further complicating the proceedings, Reuters points out that this switch might disrupt plans to try all 19 defendants collectively. Notably, some, like the former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, have already expressed similar federal court transfer wishes.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee’s recent remarks underscore the complexity. He aired concerns about realistically handling all 19 cases simultaneously and noted potential delays if the case moves to the federal court. An anticipated decision from the 11th Circuit federal court could take six months, raising questions about how a mid-trial switch would play out, according to Newsweek.
Meanwhile, Trump remains embroiled in multiple legal battles, including two federal trials and a New York state trial. On a recent radio show, Trump dropped hints about his testimony plans at these trials.
