Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, one of the defendants in the indictment brought against former President Donald Trump by Fulton County DA Fani Willis, made a legal maneuver in an attempt to block his arrest in Georgia this week. 

According to The Daily Wire, Meadows "asked a federal judge to block prosecutors from arresting him this week in Fulton County."

The request, made by his attorney, came earlier in the week, as he faces serious charges, including violating "the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute and for soliciting an official to violate their oath of office."

"Unfortunately, the state is set on subjecting Mr. Meadows to criminal process in Georgia as quickly as it can and without regard to his pending efforts to remove the case to federal court,” Meadows’s lawyer said in the filing.

His attorney added, "In addition to threatening arrest on Friday — in advance of this court’s Monday hearing — the state has also sought a scheduling order that would proceed exceptionally fast for a 19-defendant, 41-count prosecution."

In late-breaking news on Wednesday, it was reported that the judge denied the request, marking a major setback for his legal strategy.

Fox5Atlanta noted:

Meadows asked for "a modest extension of that [Friday at Noon] deadline," and had hoped to "be prepared to meet and confer … immediately following the federal court hearing—which is scheduled for less than one business day after the current deadline"—to "discuss the best path forward based on the outcome of the hearing, including a prompt voluntary surrender in Fulton County, if appropriate."

In a Wednesday ruling, the judge in the case decided that Meadows had not presented the proper evidence to make such a request, therefore denying it.

"While Meadows’s imminent arrest may present an actual injury, there are strong countervailing reasons to not enjoin the state criminal proceedings," the judge's decision read.

It added, ""Thus, the Court determines that, the clear statutory language for removing a criminal prosecution, does not support an injunction or temporary stay prohibiting District Attorney Willis's enforcement or execution of the arrest warrant against Meadows."

NEW: Federal court judge DENIES Mark Meadows’s bid to stay arrest or immediately remove his criminal case in Fulton County to federal court. pic.twitter.com/vHeGFyP4D4

— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) August 23, 2023

Many across social media backed Meadows in making the request, given the circumstances.

"Mark Meadows is right to demand a change of venue out of Fulton County, GA over these bogus RICO allegations. I hope there’s a brave federal judge who grants this emergency request, and every “defendant” in this witch hunt should follow suit," one X user wrote.

Only time will tell if Meadows takes additional legal measures.