Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows was granted immunity by special counsel Jack Smith in exchange for his testimony in the 2020 federal election meddling case against former President Donald Trump, according to a report.
Trump allies have long suspected that Meadows worked with Smith and some have been wary of talking to the former White House aide out of concern that the FBI is monitoring his communications.
Meadows reportedly told Smith’s team that he informed Trump several times in the weeks after his 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden that allegations of widespread voter fraud were without merit, according to ABC News.
The former North Carolina congressman also reportedly told prosecutors that Trump, 77, was being “dishonest” when he first claimed victory in the race just hours after polls closed on November 3, 2020, according to the outlet.
Under an immunity order, Meadows’ testimony cannot be used against him in federal court.REUTERS Meadows has spoken with special counsel Jack Smith’s team at least three times this year, and once before a federal grand jury, according to the report. AP
“Obviously we didn’t win,” Meadows told federal investigators in a meeting, admitting that he had never seen any evidence that cheating was a factor in Trump’s 2020 loss, the outlet reported.
Meadows also insisted that he did not resign despite not agreeing with Trump’s alleged election fraud because he wanted to help ensure a peaceful transition of power.
Meadows, who was subpoenaed by Smith in January, has spoken to the special counsel team at least three times this year, and once before a federal grand jury only after being granted immunity, according to ABC News.
Under the immunity order, Meadows’ testimony cannot be used against him in federal court.
In August, Trump pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment from the Department of Justice that accused him of disrupting a peaceful transition of power by making “perceivedly false” allegations of voter fraud that culminated in hundreds storming the US Capitol building. supporters on 6 Jan 2021.
Meadows reportedly told federal investigators that while the riot was going on, Trump called Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), told the House GOP leader at the time, “I think this person is more upset than you are.”
The former White House chief of staff noted, however, that Trump “looked shaken” when he learned that one of his supporters, Ashli Babbitt, was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer near the House chamber.
Trump allies have long suspected that Meadows was working with Smith.CNP via the ZUMA Wire
Meadows, 64, has not been charged by Smith.
However, he faces charges in Georgia under the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute, along with Trump and 17 other co-defendants, for allegedly trying to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
Meadows also faces charges for asking officers to violate their oath of office.
Meadows had asked that the Georgia case against him be transferred to federal court — where he would argue he is immune from state prosecution because of his role as a federal official — but a Georgia district court denied his efforts. He appealed the decision.
“I told ABC that their story was largely inaccurate,” George Terwilliger, Mark Meadows’ attorney, told CBS News. “People have to judge for themselves the decision to run it.”
Terwilliger did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
