A federal judge on Friday rejected former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows' bid to move his Georgia criminal case to federal court, a significant setback for Meadows and a troubling sign for former President Donald Trump.

The ruling against Meadows has significant implications for the former president and their 17 co-defendants in the Fulton County district attorney's sprawling racketeering case. Meadows was the first of five defendants who already filed motions to move the case to federal court -- and Trump is expected to do so, too.

Meadows unsuccessfully argued that his case, now playing out in Georgia state court, should be moved because the allegations in the indictment were connected to his official duties as White House chief of staff.

His lawyers wanted the case in federal court so they could try to get it dismissed altogether, invoking federal immunity extended to certain individuals who are prosecuted or sued for conduct tied to their US government roles.

The judge's decision could now set the tone for the other defendants also trying to move their cases, hoping to invoke the same federal immunity protections.

This story is breaking and will be updated.