Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows forced to testify before Georgia grand jury about Trump's effort to overturn 2020 election
Alex Wong/Getty Images
- Mark Meadows must testify before a Georgia grand jury investigating 2020 election meddling.
- In a ruling Tuesday, the South Carolina Supreme Court rejected Meadows' argument he is shielded by "executive privilege."
- Meadows served as Trump's chief of staff and participated in the campaign to overturn the election.
Mark Meadows, former President Donald Trump's one-time chief of staff and right-hand man during the effort to overturn the 2020 election, must testify before a Georgia grand jury looking into his ex-boss's campaign to remain in power following his loss, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
Last month, CNN reported that a former Meadows aide, Cassidy Hutchinson — whose testimony before the January 6 congressional committee electrified Washington — was cooperating with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' investigation into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election.
In an infamous phone call following his 2020 loss, Trump — joined on the line by Meadows — pleaded with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, days before the January 6 insurrection, to "find" the votes he needed to overcome President Joe Biden's margin of victory. "Fellas, I need 11,000 votes. Give me a break," Trump said, according to a recording of the call (Biden's ultimately won the state by 11,780 votes).
Meadows, who at the time was sharing conspiracy theories about the 2020 vote with election officials, also texted Raffensperger, who ignored the message, according to CNN.
In October, a lower court in South Carolina ruled that he must testify about the post-election meddling as he was a "necessary and material" witness to potential crimes, a decision that Meadows appealed.
In its ruling on Tuesday, South Carolina's highest court said Meadows' argument — that as a former White House staffer he was shielded by "executive privilege"— was "without merit," Politico reported.
Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com