WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Supreme Court refused Tuesday to let former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows move the election interference case against him in Georgia to federal court, where he would have argued he was immune from prosecution.

The justices did not detail their reasoning in a brief order, as is typical. There were no publicly noted dissents.

Meadows was one of 19 people indicted in Georgia and accused of participating in an illegal scheme to keep then-president Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump was also charged, though after he won reelection last week to a second term any trial appears unlikely, at least while he holds office. Both men have denied wrongdoing.

It’s unclear what effect the election results could have on others charged in the case, which is largely on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case.

Meadows had gone to the Supreme Court in an effort to move the charges out of Georgia courts. He argues the case belongs in federal court because it relates to his duties as a federal official. He pointed to the Supreme Court ruling giving Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution to support his argument.

“A White House chief of staff facing criminal charges based on actions relating to his work for the president of the United States should not be a close call —especially now that this court has recognized that federal immunity impacts what evidence can be considered, not just what conduct can form the basis for liability,” his attorneys wrote.

But prosecutors said that Meadows failed to show he was carrying out official duties during the alleged scheme, including participating in a phone call where Trump suggested Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger could help “find” votes he needed to win the state.

They argued the case should stay with Georgia courts, and Meadows can raise federal defenses there. Prosecutors also pushed back against the contention that the charges could have ripple effects on other federal officials.

“His references to the overheated words of opinion editorials cannot suffice to demonstrate that a new era of ubiquitous prosecution of former federal officials is at hand,” government attorneys wrote.

A U.S. district judge and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals both ruled that the case against Meadows and some of his co-defendants should remain in state court. A federal judge has also refused to move an Arizona fake elector case against him there to federal court.

Four people have already pleaded guilty in the Georgia election case after reaching deals with prosecutors. The remaining 15, including Trump and Meadows, have pleaded not guilty.

ATLANTA – There’s a growing push for expansion of medical cannabis in Georgia and some veterans in the state are among the group hoping to see more access for servicemen and women struggling to adjust to civilian life.

“Life is worth living and life is tough…life is a daily fight,” said Gary Herber.

More than a decade has passed since Herber’s time serving in the army came to an end, but the Purple Heart recipient says every day is still a battle fueled by PTSD.

Herber says he’s found some relief in managing it since becoming one of the 14,000 Georgia residents on the state’s low THC oil registry.

“For those of us that just know that fight every single day, a program like this and medicines like this can make that fight a little easier,” he explained.

Georgia is home to more than 600,000 veterans according to US Census data. 

More than 30 percent of them live with a disability, but not all qualify to be on the state’s low THC oil registry. Herber says he wants to change that.

“Look into these programs…it’s made a huge difference in my life.”

He’s now working alongside physicians and officials with Fine Fettle, one of six dispensaries licensed in the state, to push for increased access.

“Some of the biggest things with PTSD is the nightmares, the night terrors, the social anxiety. I see a lot of that,” said Dr. Tiffani Forbes.

Currently, PTSD is one of 17 disorders that qualify individuals to join the state registry.

Forbes says low THC oil is formulated to help people dealing with those issues and she hopes to see Anxiety and Depression, among other disorders, added to that list as well as expanded access to cannabis in other forms.

“Here in the state of Georgia, we haven’t included flower, smoke or capable products…it’s certainly not for everyone but it is surely the quickest onset of action when we’re talking about giving people relief,” she added.

This will likely be a hot topic as state lawmakers reconvene for the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers will head back to the Georgia State Capitol on Jan. 13, 2025.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on Monday addressed a video of backup safety Jake Pope seemingly celebrating on the field after the Bulldogs’ 28-10 loss to Ole Miss last weekend.

“What an idiot. I mean just stupid,” Smart said. “I didn’t see it till today. But he’s embarrassed about it. He’s upset about it. … Just not real smart, but to be honest with you, I don’t have time to waste energy on that.”

Georgia player celebrating with Ole Miss fans??? 🤨https://t.co/v4yvJLacwx pic.twitter.com/rLIVF4V57D

— On3 (@On3sports) November 11, 2024

The video gained traction online on Monday. Pope apologized on X, clarifying that the person he was celebrating with was a childhood friend and former teammate of his whom he was excited to see.

“I want to say sorry for the way it was taken out of perspective and has caused distractions/commotion for my teammates and coaches,” Pope said. “In no way, shape or form would I ever celebrate a loss in this program and anyone who knows me well knows that.”

❤️ pic.twitter.com/jp5Flo5ifg

— Jake Pope (@JakePope24) November 11, 2024

Pope added he is “Georgia through thick and thin.”

Pope was a three-star prospect from Buford (Ga.) High in the Class of 2022. He transferred to Georgia this season from Alabama and has appeared in three games for the Bulldogs.

(Photo: Petre Thomas / Imagn Images)