The Nuremberg defense in Atlanta Georgia

Created
Tue, 29/08/2023 - 07:00
Updated
Tue, 29/08/2023 - 07:00
I wrote this last week: On Tuesday, Meadows became the first defendant in the Georgia case (but surely not the last) to announce that he would request moving his case to federal court because his alleged criminal activity “all occurred during his tenure and as part of his service as Chief of Staff.” In his statement, Meadows explained that “arranging Oval Office meetings, contacting state officials on the President’s behalf, visiting a state government building, and setting up a phone call for the President” were all part of his duties and that you would expect the president’s chief of staff “to do these sorts of things.” It sounds like Meadows’ defense will be, as they say, that he was just following orders. I guess I was right. Much to the surprise of most legal observers, Meadows testified today in the hearing to request his trial be moved to federal court: In the hearing, Mr. Meadows said that Mr. Trump directed him to set up the now-famous phone call on Jan. 2, 2021, between Mr. Trump and Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Secretary of State. During the call — a major focus of the case — Mr. Trump pressed Mr. Raffensperger and said he wanted to “find” nearly 12,000 more Trump votes, enough to reverse his defeat in Georgia. “I was asked to reach out,” Mr. Meadows testified. I’m sure that’s true. But he participated in the call: Meadows: So Mr. President, if I might be able to jump in and I’ll give Brad a chance.…