History of Mark Meadows in Timeline
Mark Randall Meadows is a prominent American politician affiliated with the Republican Party. He held the position of 29th White House chief of staff during the Trump administration from 2020 to 2021. Prior to this role, he represented North Carolina's 11th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2020. Notably, he led the Freedom Caucus as chairman from 2017 to 2019. Throughout his tenure in the House, Meadows emerged as a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump.
July 28, 1959: Birth of Mark Randall Meadows
Mark Randall Meadows was born on July 28, 1959. This event marks the beginning of his life.
1977: Mark Meadows Attends Florida State University
Mark Meadows briefly attended Florida State University in 1977.
1987: Mark Meadows Starts "Aunt D's" Restaurant
In 1987, Mark Meadows established "Aunt D's," a small eatery located in Highlands, North Carolina.
2002: Mark Meadows Appears in "Raising the Allosaur"
Mark Meadows made an appearance in the controversial creationist film "Raising the Allosaur: The True Story of a Rare Dinosaur and the Home Schoolers Who Found It" in 2002.
2010: Census Data Leads to Redistricting in North Carolina
The 2010 census provided updated population data, prompting redistricting efforts in North Carolina, impacting future elections.
January 2011: Heritage Action Starts Operations in North Carolina
In January 2011, the conservative advocacy group Heritage Action began operations in North Carolina.
2011: Mark Meadows Moves to Glenville, North Carolina
Mark Meadows relocated to Glenville, North Carolina, in 2011.
2011: Meadows Announces Candidacy, Redistricting Impacts Election
Meadows announced his candidacy for North Carolina's 11th congressional district in 2011. Significant redistricting, including the redrawing of lines through Warren Wilson College, made the district more Republican-leaning.
July 2012: Meadows Wins Republican Primary Runoff
Meadows secured victory in the July 2012 Republican primary runoff, advancing to the general election.
October 2012: Mark Meadows Votes Against Hurricane Sandy Relief Spending
Mark Meadows cast his vote against the disaster relief funding for Hurricane Sandy, which struck in October 2012 and caused significant damage in the Northeastern United States.
January 2013: Meadows Takes Office as Representative
Meadows assumed office as a U.S. Representative in January 2013, beginning his tenure in Congress.
February 2013: Meadows Votes Against Violence Against Women Act Renewal
In February 2013, Mark Meadows voted against the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act. He stated that his voting decisions were guided by the majority opinion of his constituents in "God's Country" rather than his personal views.
March 2013: Meadows Voices Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage
In March 2013, Mark Meadows publicly opposed same-sex marriage, arguing that a Supreme Court ruling overturning gay marriage bans would be a "huge invasion into states' rights" and would cause a constitutional crisis.
August 21, 2013: Meadows Urges Defunding of Obamacare
On August 21, 2013, Mark Meadows wrote and circulated an open letter to House leaders urging them to defund the implementation of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"). The letter, signed by 79 House colleagues, sparked controversy within the Republican Party.
2013: Mark Meadows's Role in the United States Federal Government Shutdown
In 2013, Mark Meadows played a significant role in the United States federal government shutdown.
2013: Mark Meadows Elected as U.S. Representative
Mark Meadows was elected as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 11th congressional district in 2013.
2013: Mark Meadows Wins NC-11 Congressional District
Mark Meadows emerged victorious in the NC-11 Congressional district election in 2013.
2013: Meadows Urges Government Shutdown Over ACA Defunding
In 2013, less than a year into his congressional term, Mark Meadows wrote a letter to House Speaker John Boehner urging a government shutdown unless the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was defunded. This action, which contributed to the 2013 government shutdown, drew criticism from constituents and earned Meadows the title of "chief architect" of the shutdown from The Washington Post.
October 2014: Meadows Responds to Staff Complaints About Chief of Staff
In October 2014, Mark Meadows addressed staff complaints regarding inappropriate behavior by his then-chief of staff, Kenny West. He initiated an investigation and restricted West's access to offices.
2014: Mark Meadows Sells Land in Dinosaur, Colorado
Mark Meadows sold 134 acres of land in Dinosaur, Colorado, to a young earth creationist organization in 2014.
April 2015: Meadows Continues Paying West Despite Investigation
Despite allegations and an ongoing investigation, Meadows continued paying Kenny West from April 2015, raising ethical concerns about financial impropriety.
June 20, 2015: Mark Meadows Removed from Subcommittee Chair
On June 20, 2015, Mark Meadows was removed from his position as chair of the Subcommittee on Government Operations by fellow Republican congressman Jason Chaffetz.
July 28, 2015: Meadows Files Resolution to Remove Boehner as Speaker
On July 28, 2015, Mark Meadows filed a resolution to initiate a vote on removing John Boehner from his position as Speaker of the House. The resolution, deemed unlikely to succeed, highlighted growing dissent within the Republican Party.
August 2015: West's Employment Ends, but Ethical Concerns Linger
Payments to Kenny West continued until August 2015, even though he was no longer working in Meadows' office. This fueled an ethics investigation.
September 25, 2015: Boehner Announces Resignation
John Boehner announced his intention to resign as Speaker of the House on September 25, 2015, following mounting pressure and internal divisions.
October 31, 2015: Boehner Officially Resigns
Boehner's resignation became official on October 31, 2015.
July 2016: Meadows Joins Trump on Campaign Trail
Meadows appeared alongside Donald Trump at a campaign event in July 2016, demonstrating his support for Trump's candidacy.
December 2016: Meadows Presents Trump with a "Wish List" of Regulations for Repeal
In December 2016, Mark Meadows gave President-elect Donald Trump a list of regulations he wanted to see repealed, many of which targeted environmental regulations and climate change initiatives.
2016: Russian Interference in the US Election
In 2016, Russia interfered in the US presidential election, an event that sparked numerous investigations and controversies.
2016: Russian Interference in the US Election
In 2016, Russia interfered in the US presidential election, an event that sparked numerous investigations and controversies.
2016: Mark Meadows Moves to Biltmore Park
Mark Meadows moved to an apartment in Biltmore Park, Asheville, North Carolina, in 2016.
2016: Meadows Calls for Repeal of Labor Protections
In 2016, Meadows wrote a letter to Trump demanding the repeal of several labor protections: the federal prevailing wage requirement ensuring fair wages on public works projects, the overtime rule mandating extra pay for overtime hours for those earning below a certain threshold, and regulations requiring paid sick leave for federal contractors.
2016: Meadows Opposes Net Neutrality Regulations
In 2016, Mark Meadows voiced his opposition to net neutrality regulations, including those imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and included their repeal on a list of regulatory changes he presented to then-President-elect Donald Trump.
January 2017: Meadows Supports Budget Resolution to Begin Obamacare Repeal Process
In January 2017, Mark Meadows voted in favor of a budget resolution that set in motion the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
May 4, 2017: Meadows Votes for the American Health Care Act
On May 4, 2017, Mark Meadows voted in favor of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a piece of legislation designed to partially repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
2017: Meadows Reportedly Emotional Over AHCA's Potential Impact on Preexisting Conditions
Following the release of data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the potential effects of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in 2017, there were reports of Mark Meadows becoming emotional. Some reports attributed his emotional response to the AHCA's possible impact on individuals with preexisting conditions, while others suggested it stemmed from personal reflections on family members who had faced health challenges, including his sister and father. Meadows himself stated that he wouldn't support policies negatively impacting individuals with preexisting conditions.
2017: Mark Meadows's Vote on Hurricane Harvey Aid
In 2017, Mark Meadows, along with many Republicans who had opposed aid for Hurricane Sandy, voted in favor of disaster assistance following Hurricane Harvey's devastating impact on Louisiana and Texas.
2017: Mark Meadows Becomes Chair of the Freedom Caucus
Mark Meadows assumed the role of chair of the Freedom Caucus in 2017.
2017: Meadows and Trump Begin Regular Phone Conversations
Regular phone conversations between Meadows and Donald Trump, often following Sean Hannity's Fox News broadcasts, commenced in 2017, solidifying their political alliance.
2017: Meadows Voices Strong Support for Trump's Agenda
Throughout 2017, Meadows became known for his steadfast support of President Trump's agenda, advocating for the removal of Republicans who didn't share his enthusiasm.
January 2018: Meadows Attends World Economic Forum
In January 2018, Meadows attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as part of a congressional delegation.
May 2018: Meadows Calls for Financial Audit of Mueller Investigation
In May 2018, Mark Meadows, a staunch critic of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, called for a financial audit of the investigation.
July 2018: Meadows and Jordan Call for Review of Rosenstein's Actions, Threaten Impeachment
In July 2018, Mark Meadows, alongside Congressman Jim Jordan, urged the Department of Justice to investigate allegations that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had threatened a House Intelligence Committee staffer with subpoenas. They argued that Rosenstein had abused his authority and retaliated against staff members. Meadows further threatened to force a vote on a GOP resolution to impeach Rosenstein, characterizing his actions as an attempt to obstruct the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
November 2018: Meadows Wins Reelection
Meadows secured reelection in November 2018, continuing his service in the House of Representatives.
November 2018: Meadows Fined for Handling of Harassment Allegations
The House Ethics Committee fined Meadows in November 2018 for his handling of sexual harassment allegations against his former chief of staff. While acknowledging initial steps, the committee concluded Meadows should have taken stronger measures.
December 2018: Meadows' Education Credentials Scrutinized
In December 2018, Meadows faced scrutiny over his educational background, revising his official biography to clarify that he earned an associate degree, not a bachelor's degree.
January 2019: Meadows Eyes White House Position
As John F. Kelly prepared to leave his role as White House Chief of Staff, Meadows expressed a keen interest in filling the position in January 2019.
July 25, 2019: Trump Asks Zelensky to Investigate Biden
On July 25, 2019, during a phone call, Donald Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden. This phone call later became central to Trump's first impeachment inquiry.
October 3, 2019: Trump Publicly Calls for China to Investigate Hunter Biden
On October 3, 2019, Donald Trump publicly called on China to launch an investigation into Hunter Biden's business dealings in the country while his father, Joe Biden, was serving as vice president.
December 8, 2019: Meadows Denies Trump Asked Foreign Leaders to Investigate Political Rivals
On December 8, 2019, Mark Meadows asserted that Donald Trump had never requested a foreign leader to investigate a political opponent, despite evidence to the contrary such as Trump's July 25, 2019, phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his public call for China to investigate Hunter Biden on October 3, 2019.
December 19, 2019: Meadows Announces Decision to Not Seek Reelection
On December 19, 2019, Meadows revealed his intention to not run for reelection in the upcoming 2020 election.
2019: End of Term as Chair of the Freedom Caucus
Mark Meadows's term as chair of the Freedom Caucus came to an end in 2019.
March 6, 2020: Trump Appoints Meadows as White House Chief of Staff
Meadows's political trajectory shifted dramatically when President Trump selected him as the new White House Chief of Staff on March 6, 2020, succeeding Mick Mulvaney.
March 30, 2020: Meadows Transitions from Congress to White House
Meadows officially resigned from his position in the House of Representatives on March 30, 2020, to begin his new role at the White House.
March 31, 2020: Mark Meadows Resigns from Congress
Mark Meadows resigned from his position in Congress on March 31, 2020, to take on the role of White House chief of staff.
October 2020: Meadows Downplays Pandemic Control, Emphasizes Vaccines and Therapeutics
In October 2020, Mark Meadows expressed the belief that attempting to control the COVID-19 pandemic was futile. Instead, he emphasized a strategy focused on containing the virus through vaccines and therapeutics. He downplayed the significance of restrictive measures.
October 2020: Mark Meadows's Stance on Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic
In October 2020, Mark Meadows expressed his belief that attempting to control the COVID-19 pandemic was futile, advocating instead for a strategy of containment through vaccines and therapeutics.
October 2020: Meadows Downplays Mask Usage at Trump Rallies
In October 2020, when questioned about the absence of face mask usage at Trump rallies, Mark Meadows reiterated his stance that controlling the pandemic was not a feasible goal. He emphasized the focus on developing a vaccine, despite public health experts advocating for face masks as a crucial precaution to curb the spread of COVID-19.
November 4, 2020: Meadows Tests Positive for COVID-19, Keeps Diagnosis Secret
Mark Meadows tested positive for COVID-19 on November 4, 2020, but opted to keep his diagnosis confidential, informing only a limited circle who were instructed to maintain secrecy. This decision prevented individuals who had interacted with him from taking necessary precautions and hindered contact tracing efforts.
November 6, 2020: Meadows Tests Positive for COVID-19
On November 6, 2020, it was reported that Mark Meadows had tested positive for COVID-19. He reportedly tested positive on November 4th but did not make his diagnosis public, causing concern among administration staff.
November 2020: Investigation into Efforts to Influence the 2020 Election
In November 2020, an investigation was launched to examine the coordinated endeavors to impact the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia and other states.
2020: Meadows Chooses Not to Seek Reelection
Meadows did not seek reelection in 2020, marking a turning point in his political career.
2020: Meadows and Wife Accused of Voter Fraud
Meadows and his wife faced allegations of voter fraud in 2020 related to their voter registration at a mobile home in North Carolina where they didn't reside. They had cast absentee ballots from that address, prompting an investigation and their removal from voter rolls.
2020: Alleged Efforts to Subvert 2020 Election Results
In 2020, allegations arose of an endeavor to award Arizona's electoral votes to Trump instead of Biden following the election.
2020: Mark Meadows Serves as White House Chief of Staff
In 2020, Mark Meadows began his tenure as the 29th White House chief of staff under the Trump administration.
2020: Second White House Chief of Staff to Face Criminal Charges
Following the 2020 election, Mark Meadows became the second White House Chief of Staff to confront criminal charges, the first being H. R. Haldeman.
2020: Meadows Aids Trump's Efforts to Overturn the 2020 Election
Following Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election, Mark Meadows supported Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the election results. He pressured Georgia officials to overturn the state's results based on unsubstantiated claims of fraud. In 2020, he urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to overturn the certification of Georgia's election results.
2020: Meadows Acknowledges Lack of Evidence for Election Fraud
Despite publicly supporting claims of election fraud, Mark Meadows admitted in October 2023 that he had repeatedly informed President Trump about the lack of evidence for such claims in 2020. This revelation highlighted a discrepancy between Meadows' public statements and his private knowledge of the election's integrity.
2020: Meadows' Involvement in Efforts to Challenge the 2020 Election
Text messages released in April 2022 revealed Mark Meadows' involvement in efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election. The messages showed discussions and plans related to overturning the election outcome, highlighting Meadows' role in these endeavors.
January 6, 2021: Meadows Pressures Justice Department to Investigate Fraud Claims
On January 6, 2021, Mark Meadows repeatedly pressured Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen to initiate investigations into unfounded conspiracy theories alleging election fraud. These included a theory suggesting Italian involvement in manipulating voting machines, a claim circulating online prior to the attack on the Capitol.
January 2021: Meadows Joins Conservative Partnership Institute
As Joe Biden assumed the presidency, Mark Meadows became a principal at the Conservative Partnership Institute in January 2021. The organization focuses on electing conservative candidates, often employing dark money strategies and advocating for changes to voting regulations.
September 24, 2021: Meadows Subpoenaed by January 6th Committee
The U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating the 2021 United States Capitol attack subpoenaed Mark Meadows on September 24, 2021. The subpoena requested records and testimony related to the insurrection. Meadows did not comply, leading to potential criminal referral.
December 14, 2021: Mark Meadows Held in Contempt of Congress
On December 14, 2021, Mark Meadows was found in criminal contempt of Congress for his refusal to cooperate with the January 6 Select Committee.
December 2021: Meadows Provides PowerPoint Presentation on Overturning the Election
In December 2021, Meadows submitted a PowerPoint presentation to the January 6 Select Committee. Received via email the day before the Capitol breach, the presentation suggested the president declare a national emergency to remain in power. Meadows' lawyer maintained that he did not act on the document.
2021: End of Tenure as White House Chief of Staff
Mark Meadows concluded his service as White House chief of staff in 2021.
April 2022: Meadows' Texts Reveal Efforts to Overturn Election and Deflect Blame for Attack
In April 2022, text messages exchanged by Mark Meadows between the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol attack were obtained by the January 6 Select Committee and CNN. These messages revealed communications with figures like Sean Hannity, Brian Kilmeade, Laura Ingraham, and Donald Trump Jr., urging Meadows to encourage Trump to denounce the Capitol Hill violence. The texts also showed plans to contest the election results and strategies to shift blame for the attack.
June 2022: Cassidy Hutchinson Becomes Key Witness in January 6th Investigation
Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to Mark Meadows, provided significant closed-door testimony to the January 6 committee in June 2022. The committee viewed her as a crucial witness. As public hearings commenced, Hutchinson switched her legal representation from an attorney closely associated with Trump allies to a former chief of staff for Trump's first attorney general, Jeff Sessions.
September 2022: Meadows Submits Additional Records to National Archives
Following the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, Mark Meadows handed over additional text messages and emails to the National Archives in September 2022.
October 26, 2022: Mark Meadows Ordered to Testify Before Georgia Grand Jury
A South Carolina circuit judge issued an order on October 26, 2022, mandating Mark Meadows to appear before a Georgia grand jury investigating Republican attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state.
November 2022: Meadows Ordered to Testify in Georgia Election Probe
The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled in late November 2022 that Mark Meadows was required to provide testimony in the Georgia election investigation, specifically regarding the Trump-Raffensperger phone call.
December 30, 2022: North Carolina Concludes Voter Fraud Investigation
The attorney general's office of North Carolina concluded its investigation on December 30, 2022, stating they found insufficient evidence of voter fraud.
June 2023: Meadows Testifies Before Federal Grand Jury
In June 2023, Mark Meadows provided testimony to a federal grand jury as part of special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the former president's handling of classified documents.
August 14, 2023: Mark Meadows Indicted in Georgia Election Probe
On August 14, 2023, Mark Meadows, alongside 18 others, was indicted in connection with the prosecution linked to the 2020 election in Georgia.
August 24, 2023: Meadows Surrenders and is Released on Bail
On August 24, 2023, Mark Meadows surrendered at the Fulton County jail following his indictment in the Georgia election investigation. He was released on a $100,000 bail.
September 5, 2023: Meadows Enters Not Guilty Plea
Meadows, along with co-defendants John Eastman and Jeffrey Clark, waived his arraignment and entered a written not guilty plea on September 5, 2023.
October 24, 2023: Meadows Admits Informing Trump of Lack of Basis for Election Fraud Claims
On October 24, 2023, it was revealed that Mark Meadows, under a grant of immunity from special counsel Jack Smith, had acknowledged repeatedly informing President Donald Trump about the lack of evidence supporting claims of election fraud. This admission contradicted claims made in Meadows' own book and shed light on his knowledge of the election's legitimacy.
April 24, 2024: Mark Meadows Indicted in Arizona Election Case
On April 24, 2024, Mark Meadows was indicted by an Arizona grand jury on felony charges, along with several others. They were accused of participating in efforts to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 victory in the state.