### Trump’s Former Aides Seek Supreme Court Intervention Amid Legal Battles

As former President Donald Trump nears his final days of campaigning for a possible return to the White House, several of his ex-aides are directing their efforts toward the Supreme Court. Trump's former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former trade advisor, Peter Navarro, are among those appealing to the high court for various legal battles they face.

Meadows is lobbying the Supreme Court to transfer his Georgia election subversion case to federal court. Navarro, meanwhile, is attempting to draw the justices into a dispute over presidential records that he retained on his private email. This week, the Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit from Trump's former fixer, Michael Cohen, who claimed that Trump retaliated against him for promoting a tell-all book.

The legal sagas of Trump’s former staff reflect the tumultuous nature of his administration and the ongoing legal jeopardy faced by several of his ex-aides. Despite the Supreme Court's conservative majority, which includes three justices appointed by Trump, his former aides have not seen much success in their appeals.

Timothy Johnson, a professor of political science and law, suggested that the court is not eager to engage with these cases. Although the court granted Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution earlier this year, Johnson believes their interest lies more in presidential power rather than executive branch power.

This week's newest appeal involves Navarro, who has long been in conflict with the National Archives and Records Administration over the Presidential Records Act, a post-Nixon era law that ensures the preservation of presidential documents. Navarro argues that his case is of crucial political significance, but lower courts have consistently sided with the Justice Department. Attempts to involve the Supreme Court in his dispute have been described by his legal team as a longshot.

Meadows also has a significant case pending. He seeks to move his Georgia election subversion prosecution to federal court, a move that could potentially allow him to assert immunity claims. This attempt is crucial as it intersects with Trump’s own ongoing legal battles related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The Supreme Court is set to review his appeal in early November. If successful, Meadows’ case could set a precedent regarding the prosecution of former federal officials. He has enlisted the services of Paul Clement, a highly regarded member of the Supreme Court bar and former U.S. Solicitor General, to argue his case.

Both Navarro and Meadows face significant hurdles given that prior court decisions have largely not been in their favor. In Meadow’s case, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals previously ruled that the events leading to his charges were unrelated to his official duties as White House chief of staff.

On a separate note, the Supreme Court recently dismissed an appeal from Michael Cohen related to his conviction. Cohen sued Trump and former Attorney General Bill Barr, alleging that his return to custody was retaliatory. Lower courts dismissed his claim, and the Supreme Court declined to hear the case without comment.

These legal proceedings illustrate the ongoing complications and aftershocks of Trump’s presidency, especially for those who served closest to him.