Mark Meadows Denied Access to Records in Georgia Case

A federal judge has denied former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows' request to access records from the National Archives that he claimed would support his defense in the Georgia election case. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that Meadows' attempt was flawed as it originated in a state court, which lacks authority over federal agencies. Meadows faces a single count of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. The judge noted that the Georgia court's previous authorization for Meadows to seek the records may also have been unauthorized. Meadows' legal team argued that the records were essential for his defense, but the judge rejected this notion, emphasizing jurisdictional issues. Both Meadows and former President Trump have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them in the Georgia case.