What Is Mark Meadows Doing Now? [2025 Update]

Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff under President Donald Trump, has maintained a surprisingly active presence in conservative politics despite facing serious legal challenges. While he’s largely disappeared from public view, Meadows continues to wield significant influence behind the scenes in Washington, D.C.

So what is Mark Meadows doing now in 2025? Let’s dive into his current activities, legal battles, political influence, and what the future might hold for one of Trump’s most loyal allies.

Mark Meadows’ Current Role: Senior Partner at Conservative Partnership Institute

Since leaving the White House in January 2021, Mark Meadows has served as Senior Partner at the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI), a powerful conservative think tank located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol. This position has allowed him to remain deeply involved in Republican politics without the public spotlight.

What Does CPI Actually Do?

The Conservative Partnership Institute functions as a clubhouse and strategy center for MAGA-aligned conservatives. Founded in 2017 by former Senator Jim DeMint, CPI has exploded in growth since Meadows joined the organization.

Here’s what makes CPI so influential:

• Strategy Sessions: The Freedom Caucus holds weekly meetings at CPI headquarters
• Staff Training: CPI helps congressional offices find and train conservative staffers
• Fundraising Hub: The organization connects donors with conservative candidates and causes
• Real Estate Empire: CPI has purchased multiple buildings near the Capitol, creating what some call “Patriots Row”

Meadows’ Compensation and Influence

According to tax filings, Meadows earns more than $500,000 annually from CPI. But his real value comes from his connections and political expertise.

The organization’s revenue has skyrocketed from $7 million in 2020 to over $45 million in 2021 after Meadows came aboard. This dramatic growth shows just how valuable his Trump-world connections are to conservative donors.

Behind the Scenes: Meadows’ Political Activities in 2025

While Mark Meadows avoids television cameras and public speeches, he remains one of the most influential figures in Republican politics. His phone is constantly buzzing with calls from lawmakers, donors, and political operatives seeking his advice.

Advising Congressional Republicans

Meadows has played a key role in several major congressional battles:

The 2023 Speaker Fight: When Kevin McCarthy struggled through 15 rounds of voting to become House Speaker in January 2023, Meadows was meeting with right-wing holdouts just blocks from the Capitol. Republican lawmakers confirmed that he counseled them on specific demands and helped game out McCarthy’s responses.

Some members even considered nominating Meadows for speaker, but he declined, saying “his best use is doing what he does now” – operating behind the scenes.

Debt Ceiling Negotiations: Meadows has advised Freedom Caucus members during critical budget and debt ceiling fights, encouraging the far-right flank to stick together and demand spending cuts.

Oversight Strategy: With his experience as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, Meadows helps train congressional staffers on how to conduct effective investigations. This expertise has been valuable as House Republicans have launched numerous probes into the Biden administration.

Maintaining Trump World Connections

Despite legal troubles, Meadows has stayed connected to Trump’s inner circle on political matters. He was actively involved in securing Trump’s endorsement for now-Senator Ted Budd in North Carolina’s 2021 Senate race.

While Meadows hasn’t joined Trump’s 2024 campaign team, sources say he “still checks in” and wants to “talk about the politics.” However, his direct relationship with Trump has reportedly cooled since leaving the White House.

Rep. Jim Jordan, one of Meadows’ closest friends, says they talk “at least once a week” but deliberately avoid discussing legal matters.

The CPI Real Estate Strategy

Under Meadows’ leadership, CPI has purchased several buildings near the Capitol using limited liability corporations. This real estate portfolio includes:

• Two storefronts on Pennsylvania Avenue
• A television studio for members to conduct cable news interviews
• Meeting spaces for conservative groups and caucuses
• Office space surrounding a Heritage Foundation building

The goal is creating a physical community for MAGA conservatives in Washington – a counterweight to establishment Republican organizations.

Mark Meadows’ Legal Battles: Where Things Stand in 2025

Mark Meadows faces serious criminal charges in two states related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. These legal challenges hang over everything he does and could potentially land him in prison.

The Georgia Election Interference Case

• The Charges: On August 14, 2023, Meadows was indicted along with 18 other defendants (including Donald Trump) in Fulton County, Georgia. He faces charges of participating in an illegal scheme to keep Trump in power after losing the 2020 election.
• Key Evidence: Meadows participated in the infamous January 2, 2021 phone call where Trump told Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find 11,780 votes” – just enough to flip the state. Meadows also made separate calls to Georgia officials pressuring them to investigate Trump’s baseless fraud claims.
• Legal Strategy: Meadows attempted to move his case from Georgia state court to federal court, arguing his actions were part of his official duties as a federal officer. He hoped this would allow him to claim immunity from prosecution.
• Supreme Court Defeat: In November 2024, the Supreme Court rejected Meadows’ request in a brief order with no noted dissents. Both a U.S. district judge and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals had already ruled his case should remain in state court, finding that his alleged actions “were not related to his official duties.”
• Current Status: The Georgia case remains largely on hold as of October 2025. A Georgia appeals court is reviewing whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed from the case due to her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she hired.
• What This Means: If the case eventually proceeds and Meadows is convicted, he faces potential prison time. However, Trump’s 2024 election victory could complicate matters, as Trump might attempt to use federal power to interfere with state-level prosecutions of his allies.

The Arizona Fake Electors Case

• The Charges: On April 24, 2024, an Arizona grand jury indicted Meadows on felony charges related to efforts to subvert Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the state. He’s charged alongside Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, and others who helped coordinate the fake electors scheme.
• The Allegations: Prosecutors allege Meadows helped coordinate a plan where Republicans signed paperwork on December 14, 2020, falsely claiming Trump won Arizona’s electoral votes.
• Current Status: Meadows has pleaded not guilty. An Arizona federal judge has refused his request to move the case to federal court, similar to the Georgia ruling.
• Timeline: This case is in earlier stages than the Georgia prosecution, with pre-trial proceedings ongoing as of 2025.

The Federal Immunity Deal

In a stunning development revealed in October 2023, Meadows received immunity from Special Counsel Jack Smith and testified to a federal grand jury. During this testimony, Meadows admitted he repeatedly told President Trump there was no basis for claims of election fraud – directly contradicting the narrative in his own book.

This testimony helped Smith’s investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and Trump’s mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. However, Meadows himself was not charged in federal cases, suggesting his cooperation may have protected him from federal prosecution.

The January 6 Committee Contempt

Meadows was held in criminal contempt of Congress on December 14, 2021, for refusing to fully cooperate with the House January 6 Select Committee. He initially provided over 2,000 text messages before stopping cooperation.

Notably, the Justice Department declined to prosecute Meadows for contempt, unlike Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, who both served jail time.

How Trump’s 2024 Victory Affects Meadows

Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election and was inaugurated on January 20, 2025, as the 47th president. This victory has major implications for Mark Meadows’ legal and political future.

Will Meadows Return to Government?

Sources close to both men suggest Meadows is unlikely to rejoin a Trump administration in an official capacity. Their relationship has cooled, and Meadows seems content operating behind the scenes at CPI.

One Trump insider scoffed at the idea of Meadows getting another administration job, suggesting “Meadows’ direct relationship with the former president had run its course.”

Rep. Jim Jordan noted that Meadows “enjoys what he’s doing” but added, “I’m sure he misses certain aspects of the job as well.”

Impact on State Criminal Cases

Trump cannot pardon Meadows for state charges in Georgia or Arizona – presidential pardon power only extends to federal crimes. However, Trump’s Justice Department could potentially:

• Argue that federal immunity protects former White House officials from state prosecution
• File amicus briefs supporting Meadows’ legal positions
• Apply political pressure on state prosecutors

The Georgia and Arizona cases will likely continue regardless of Trump’s return to power, though the political environment has certainly shifted.

Political Rehabilitation?

Trump’s victory gives Meadows and other January 6-related defendants political cover. Many Republicans now view the prosecutions as “weaponization” of the justice system rather than legitimate accountability.

This shift in narrative could help Meadows maintain his influence in conservative circles even while facing serious charges.

Where Does Mark Meadows Live Now?

Meadows’ living situation has been controversial and somewhat mysterious.

The North Carolina Voter Fraud Investigation

In 2020, Meadows registered to vote at a mobile home in Macon County, North Carolina, where he allegedly never lived or even visited. He and his wife voted by absentee ballot from that address.

North Carolina removed Meadows from voter rolls in 2022 while investigating potential voter fraud. However, in December 2022, the state attorney general’s office closed the investigation, stating there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges.

Current Residence

Meadows is now registered to vote in South Carolina, where he splits his time along with his work in Washington, D.C. He sold his house in North Carolina’s 11th congressional district (which he once represented) and has decamped from the area entirely.

His former constituents in western North Carolina say he’s “disconnected” – one local political activist noted, “Lots of us who had Mark Meadows on speed dial, that was just cut off, boom.”

Mark Meadows’ Journey: From Congress to Crisis

To understand what Meadows is doing now, it helps to know how he got here.

The Congressional Years (2013-2020)

Meadows represented North Carolina’s 11th congressional district from 2013 to 2020. As a Tea Party Republican and founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, he was one of the most conservative members of Congress.

Major Accomplishments:

• Co-founded the Freedom Caucus in 2015 with Jim Jordan
• Filed a resolution to remove Speaker John Boehner in 2015 (Boehner resigned soon after)
• Played a key role in the 2013 government shutdown over Obamacare funding
• Served as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee

Meadows built a reputation as a skilled political operator willing to buck GOP leadership. His relationship with Trump grew strong, with the two speaking frequently after Sean Hannity’s evening Fox News broadcasts.

White House Chief of Staff (March 2020 – January 2021)

Trump appointed Meadows as White House chief of staff on March 6, 2020, succeeding Mick Mulvaney. Meadows resigned from Congress on March 30, 2020, to take the position.

COVID-19 Response: As chief of staff, Meadows played a controversial role in the Trump administration’s pandemic response:

• Pressured the FDA to adopt less strict guidelines for vaccine trials
• Told health experts not to discuss restrictive measures
• Said it was futile to try “to control the pandemic”
• Tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2020 but tried to keep it quiet

Election Overturn Efforts: After Trump lost the 2020 election, Meadows became central to efforts to overturn the results:

• Pressed Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen to investigate conspiracy theories
• Connected Trump to lawyers advancing fringe legal theories
• Participated in the Trump-Raffensperger call
• Was present during key January 6-related meetings and calls

These actions during his final months as chief of staff are now the basis for his criminal indictments.

What People Close to Meadows Say

Understanding Meadows requires looking at how different people view him:

Supporters’ View: Allies like Jim Jordan call Meadows one of their “best friends” and praise his political instincts and dedication to conservative causes. Rep. Byron Donalds said, “There’s a real demand for what CPI provides to members. A lot of members like to go over there.”

Critics’ Perspective: Some who worked closely with Meadows are more skeptical. One senior GOP source told CNN: “He is all about getting information so he can be seen as important to donors, other members, the media. People don’t trust him.”

Former Constituents: In North Carolina’s 11th district, Meadows has lost his luster. One Republican activist said, “I used to joke it was Jesus and then Mark Meadows in the 11th… Now I think he’s just kind of a non-factor if you were to talk to anyone in western North Carolina.”

Trump World Uncertainty: A source close to Trump’s legal team said Trump’s lawyers have had “no contact” with Meadows and his team, fueling speculation about whether he’s cooperating with prosecutors. “No one really knows what he’s doing,” one Trump adviser said.

Meadows’ Public Silence Strategy

One of the most notable aspects of what Mark Meadows is doing now is what he’s not doing – appearing in public.

Unlike other Trump allies who have embraced media attention, Meadows has:

• Avoided television interviews
• Stopped using public social media
• Declined to make public statements about his legal cases
• Refused to testify before the January 6 Committee
• Operated almost entirely behind closed doors

This silence has been strategic but also frustrating to allies. The $900,000 payment Trump’s Save America PAC made to Meadows’ law firm at the end of 2022 raised eyebrows among other Trump-aligned defendants who have been more transparent.

The Conservative Partnership Institute’s Growing Empire

Meadows’ work at CPI deserves closer examination because it’s his primary activity now.

Financial Growth Explosion

CPI’s revenue trajectory tells the story:

• 2020: $7 million in revenue
• 2021: $45 million in revenue (Meadows’ first year)

This 540% increase demonstrates Meadows’ fundraising prowess and the value of his Trump-world connections to conservative donors.

Strategic Initiatives

CPI under Meadows focuses on several key areas:

1. Staff Pipeline: Training and placing conservative staffers in congressional offices, particularly for oversight and investigative work.

2. Member Services: Providing meeting space, strategy sessions, and coordination for conservative lawmakers, especially the Freedom Caucus.

3. Donor Connections: Connecting major conservative donors with candidates, causes, and policy initiatives.

4. Infrastructure Building: Creating physical space for the MAGA conservative movement in Washington through strategic real estate purchases.

5. Media Training: Operating a television studio where members can conduct cable news interviews.

CPI’s Partner Organizations

CPI has helped launch or support numerous affiliated organizations, creating a sprawling network of conservative institutions. Meadows has been instrumental in recruiting former Trump administration officials to join CPI’s staff and partner organizations.

What’s Next for Mark Meadows?

Looking ahead to the rest of 2025 and beyond, several scenarios could play out for Meadows:

Scenario 1: Continue at CPI

Most likely, Meadows continues his current role at CPI, wielding behind-the-scenes influence while avoiding the public spotlight. This allows him to:

• Maintain political relevance
• Earn substantial income
• Shape conservative policy and strategy
• Avoid further legal jeopardy

Scenario 2: Return to Government

Less likely but possible, Meadows could return to government if:

• Trump offers him a position that doesn’t require Senate confirmation
• His legal cases are resolved favorably
• The political relationship between Trump and Meadows warms

However, current indicators suggest this is unlikely.

Scenario 3: Face Prison Time

If convicted in Georgia or Arizona, Meadows could face significant prison time. Second White House chief of staff (after H.R. Haldeman during Watergate) to face criminal charges, a conviction would be historic.

The cases could drag on for years with appeals, but this remains a real possibility.

Scenario 4: Complete Political Rehabilitation

If Trump successfully frames the prosecutions as political persecution, Meadows could emerge as a conservative martyr. This could lead to:

• Book deals and speaking engagements
• Leadership positions in conservative organizations
• Potential future runs for office
• Enhanced influence in Republican politics

Frequently Asked Questions About Mark Meadows

The Bottom Line: What Is Mark Meadows Really Doing Now?

To summarize what Mark Meadows is doing in 2025:

• Professionally: Working as Senior Partner at the Conservative Partnership Institute, where he advises Republican lawmakers, trains conservative staffers, connects donors with causes, and helps build infrastructure for the MAGA movement in Washington.
• Legally: Fighting criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, while hoping Trump’s return to power might provide some political cover.
• Politically: Maintaining behind-the-scenes influence with congressional Republicans, particularly the Freedom Caucus, while avoiding public appearances and media interviews.
• Personally: Living between South Carolina and Washington, D.C., largely disconnected from his former North Carolina district and constituents.
• Mark Meadows remains one of the most influential figures in conservative politics that most Americans never see or hear from directly. His story is far from over – the legal cases could take years to resolve, and Trump’s second term could reshape the political landscape in unpredictable ways.