In a recent court filing, Mark Meadows, the former chief of staff to Donald Trump, aims to transfer his charges in the fake electors case in Arizona to federal court. This move mirrors his unsuccessful attempt last year to do the same in a similar election subversion case in Georgia. Meadows' attorneys argue that his actions were undertaken while he served as a federal official in his capacity as Trump's chief of staff. They also plan to seek the dismissal of the charges in federal court.

The request to move the case to U.S. District Court will be considered by Judge John Tuchi, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama. A hearing has been scheduled for September 5th to address Meadows' plea.

Meadows currently faces charges in both Arizona and Georgia, with state authorities alleging his involvement in an illegal scheme to overturn the 2020 election results in favor of Trump. Despite President Joe Biden winning Arizona by a margin of 10,457 votes, prosecutors claim that Meadows collaborated with other Trump campaign members to submit the names of fake electors from Arizona and other states to Congress, in an effort to keep Trump in office.

Interestingly, the Arizona indictment reveals that Meadows confided in a White House staff member in November 2020, acknowledging Trump's loss in the election. This raises questions about his involvement in the subsequent actions related to fake electors.

Meadows previously attempted to move his Georgia charges to federal court but was unsuccessful, with the request being denied by a judge and later affirmed by an appeals court. Undeterred, he has now petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision.

The attorneys representing Meadows maintain that none of the actions he is accused of in Arizona constitute criminal behavior. They argue that the indictment is based on allegations of him receiving messages pertaining to strategies and legal efforts by the Trump campaign.

While the Arizona Attorney General's office declined to comment on Meadows' request, legal experts believe that his chances of moving the case to federal court are stronger than those of the other defendants. This is due to the nature of the allegations focusing on a federal election and Meadows' official role within the Trump administration.

The fake electors case in Arizona has resulted in charges being filed against a total of 18 Republicans. Among the defendants are individuals who submitted false documents claiming that Trump had won Arizona, as well as former Trump aide Rudy Giuliani and several other lawyers linked to the former president.

Recently, former Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis, a close associate of Giuliani, signed a cooperation agreement with prosecutors, leading to the dismissal of her charges. Additionally, Republican activist Loraine Pellegrino became the first person to be convicted in the Arizona case, having pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and receiving probation.

Meadows and the remaining defendants have all pleaded not guilty to the forgery, fraud, and conspiracy charges in Arizona. Notably, Trump himself was not charged in Arizona, although the indictment identifies him as an unindicted coconspirator. The grand jury had considered charging him but a prosecutor advised against it, citing a U.S. Justice Department policy that restricts prosecuting someone for the same crime twice.

Criminal charges related to the fake electors scheme have also been brought forth by prosecutors in Michigan, Nevada, Georgia, and Wisconsin.