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 interference case against former President Donald Trump, according to a report.
Trump allies have long suspected that Meadows was cooperating with Smith and some have even been reluctant to speak with the former White House aide for fear that the FBI was monitoring their communications.
Meadows reportedly told Smith’s team that he briefed Trump several times in the weeks following his 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden that allegations of widespread voter fraud were baseless, 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 Nov. 3, 2020, according to the media.
Under the immunity order, Meadows’ testimony cannot be used against him in federal court. REUTERS Meadows has spoken to special prosecutor 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, acknowledging that he has never seen any evidence that fraud was a factor in Trump’s 2020 defeat, the outlet reports.
Meadows also insisted that he did not resign despite disagreeing with Trump’s election fraud claims because he wanted to help ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
Meadows, to whom Smith issued a subpoena in January, has spoken to the special counsel’s team at least three times this year, and once before a federal grand jury only after he was 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 Justice Department indictment that accused him of disrupting the peaceful transfer of power by making “knowingly false” claims of election fraud that culminated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol building. by hundreds of his followers on January 6, 2021.
Meadows reportedly told federal investigators that as the riot was unfolding, Trump spoke by phone with Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and told the then-House GOP leader, “I guess “These people are more upset than you.”
The former White House chief of staff noted, however, that Trump was “visibly shocked” to learn that one of his supporters, Ashli Babbitt, was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer near the chamber. of the camera.
Trump allies have long suspected that Meadows was cooperating with Smith.CNP via ZUMA Wire
Meadows, 64, has not been charged by Smith.
However, he faces charges in Georgia under the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute, along with Trump and 17 other co-defendants, for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 state election.
Meadows also faces a charge of soliciting an official to violate his or her oath of office.
Meadows has attempted to have the Georgia case against him moved to federal court, where he would argue that he is immune from prosecution at the state level because of his role as a federal official, but a Georgia district court denied his attempt. He is appealing that ruling.
“I told ABC that their story was largely inaccurate,” said George Terwilliger, an attorney for Mark Meadows, told CBS News. “People will have to judge for themselves the decision to execute him anyway.”
Terwilliger did not respond to the Post’s request for comment.
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