Topline
Former President Donald Trump will no longer seek to have his Georgia election interference case moved to federal court, opening up the former president to a televised criminal trial, a less favorable jury and the chance to pardon himself if he’s convicted after being reelected.
Trump was booked in August on multiple charges related to an alleged plan to overturn the results of … [+]
Key Facts
Trump’s attorneys notified a Fulton County court of the decision, according to multiple reports, which reported a filing that said the former president’s decision is based on “well-founded confidence” that the court will provide him with a fair trial and due process throughout the prosecution of the case.
Trump notified the Fulton County court last month that he may file to move the case to federal court, a move the filing said was done “in an abundance of caution,” ABC reported.
The former president’s decision means he will be in televised and livestreamed court proceedings for his Georgia election interference case, which does not yet have a trial date.
Trump, alongside 18 co-defendants, has pleaded not guilty to his charges.
A representative for Trump did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
Key Background
Trump was indicted on 13 felony counts in Georgia that include conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, forgery conspiracy and a RICO violation. Georgia’s RICO statute prohibits racketeering or conspiring to do so and is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment between five and 20 years. A total of 41 counts were brought against 19 defendants in the election interference case. One of those defendants, Mark Meadows, attempted to move his case to federal court but was denied by U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones, who said Meadows failed to meet the “quite low” threshold needed to move the case out of Georgia. Trump faces three other indictments outside of his Georgia case, with his nearest trial date set for March 4 of next year for his federal election interference case brought forth by Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Further Reading
Trump Indicted In Georgia: Here Are The Crimes He’s Been Charged With—And The Prison Sentences They Carry (Forbes)
Judge Denies Mark Meadows’ Request To Move Georgia Election Interference Case To Federal Court (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/09/28/trump-reverses-course-wont-move-his-georgia-case-to-federal-court/