Article Summary –
A court document reveals Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, highlighting efforts to pressure Arizona officials. Despite claims of fraud, evidence was lacking. Trump’s team, including Giuliani, made baseless allegations, seeking to replace legitimate electors. Key Arizona officials resisted.
A newly unsealed court filing reveals Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, detailing attempts in Arizona to pressure state officials. The document, filed by DOJ special counsel Jack Smith, accuses Trump of criminal actions to retain the presidency. Read more on CNN.
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, overseeing the case, released a redacted version of the document, excluding names of unindicted co-conspirators. The Copper Courier used previous reports to fill in some redacted names.
The full filing is available here.
Arizona Election Fraud Allegations
By November 9, Trump was aware there was no evidence of widespread fraud in Arizona. Despite this, he called Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to discuss the vote count. Networks like Fox News projected Biden’s win, but others had not. Ducey explained the vote margins, emphasizing Biden’s lead.
Trump claimed election fraud, but failed to provide evidence, despite assurances of “packaging it up.” Campaign Manager Bill Stephen later confirmed false fraud claims about non-citizen voters. Campaign attorneys admitted their Arizona lawsuit was moot.
Trump and Rudy Giuliani continued pressuring Ducey and other officials. On November 30, Ducey certified Biden’s electors, prompting Trump to attack him and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Twitter, questioning their Republican loyalty.
Trump’s team tried convincing Arizona legislators to replace electors. On November 22, Trump and Giuliani called Rusty Bowers, Speaker of the Arizona House, pushing false fraud claims to replace electors. Bowers demanded evidence, which Giuliani failed to provide.
A “hotel hearing” with Giuliani failed to substantiate fraud claims. Frustrated legislators demanded evidence, but Giuliani admitted, “We don’t have the evidence, just theories.”
On December 4, Bowers publicly rejected overturning the election based on fraud theories. Despite voting for Trump, he refused to violate the law. Campaign staffer Liz Harington criticized Bowers on Twitter, supported by Trump.
Two days before January 6, attorney John Eastman urged Bowers to decertify electors without evidence. Bowers refused, highlighting a lack of substantial fraud evidence and legal authority.
Post-election, Bowers faced harassment, including armed protests at his home. His daughter’s illness was exacerbated by the disruptions.
—
Read More Arizona News