A judge in Arizona will hear arguments that may determine whether allies of former President Donald Trump could face prison sentences if convicted of participating in a criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election. Among the Trump allies facing charges are Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, and Christina Bobb. The lawyers for the defendants will argue that prosecutors are seeking harsh punishments to coerce cooperation from the defendants. The Arizona attorney general has charged the defendants with multiple felonies, indicating that a conviction would likely result in prison sentences rather than lesser penalties.
The Arizona Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen will preside over the hearing and will ultimately define the stakes of the case going forward. Prosecutors will need to provide evidence connecting the defendants to the alleged conspiracy during the grand jury proceedings. The case comes after a rally held by Trump in Arizona, emphasizing the legal exposure facing those who sought to help him overturn the 2020 election. While Trump has not been charged in the Arizona case, he is described in court documents as an unindicted co-conspirator, highlighting his potential legal risks.
The interest was strong enough to prompt the state’s lead prosecutor to request that the grand jury not indict Trump. Trump has also faced criminal charges at the federal level and in Georgia for his efforts to overturn Joe Biden’s legitimate election victory. Despite not being charged in the Arizona case, the investigation remains ongoing, with the potential for additional indictments, including of the former president. Prosecutors are moving forward with the case against the 18 defendants charged, with a potential trial date in early 2025.
Some defendants, such as former Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis, have agreed to cooperate in exchange for charges being dropped. Ellis is expected to testify against other defendants as part of her deal. Another defendant, Loraine Pellegrino, reached a plea deal earlier this month, agreeing to plead guilty to charges related to her role in the alleged conspiracy. Defendants like Boris Epshteyn, a former White House aide, have pleaded not guilty to their charges. Attorneys for Mark Meadows argue that his case should be moved to federal court, as the indictment relates to his official conduct as Trump’s chief of staff, a federal position.
US District Judge John Tuchi has scheduled a hearing on Meadows’ request to move the case. Meadows previously mounted a similar effort in Georgia after being indicted on similar charges relating to election subversion. The legal battles in Arizona underscore the ongoing legal challenges facing Trump and his allies as they navigate the fallout from their efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The outcome of the hearing will shape the trajectory of the case and determine the potential repercussions for those implicated in the alleged conspiracy.
