Former President Donald Trump’s attorneys have filed court papers seeking to dismiss the charges against him in the Georgia election interference case.
The motions adopt arguments previously put forth by some of Trump’s 18 co-defendants, who have been accused of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and other crimes.
One of the motions adopts an argument made by Kenneth Chesebro, who allegedly crafted the legal theory behind the so-called fake electors scheme. Chesebro argued that the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause bars states from prosecuting or otherwise regulating conduct “that was entirely within the ambit of federal authority.”
The other motions challenge the jurisdiction of the Fulton County Superior Court to hear the case, arguing that the charges should be brought in federal court.
The motions are the first step in Trump’s defense against the charges, which stem from his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
The case is being closely watched by legal experts and political observers, as it could set a precedent for how states can prosecute election interference cases.