Court Filing Reveals Trump’s Relentless Bid to Overturn Election \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A newly unsealed court filing from special counsel Jack Smith’s team reveals Donald Trump’s intense effort to overturn the 2020 election. It alleges Trump laid the groundwork for his illegal actions well before Election Day, ignored legal warnings, and relentlessly pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence. The 165-page document outlines evidence prosecutors intend to use if the case reaches trial.
Trump Election Scheme Quick Looks
- Early Planning: Trump allegedly began plotting to challenge the 2020 election well before Election Day, asserting he could only lose if fraud occurred.
- Court Filing Highlights: A 165-page filing details Trump’s disregard for legal advice and his insistence on claiming victory regardless of the results.
- Pressure on Pence: Trump pressured Mike Pence to overturn the election, allegedly dismissing the vice president’s safety as rioters stormed the Capitol.
- ‘The Details Don’t Matter’: Trump, when warned that his fraud claims wouldn’t stand in court, reportedly said, “The details don’t matter.”
Deep Look
In a detailed 165-page court filing unsealed on Wednesday, special counsel Jack Smith’s team outlines how former President Donald Trump allegedly plotted and executed a plan to cling to power after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden. The filing provides a revealing look at the evidence and testimonies that prosecutors plan to present if the case accusing Trump of an illegal attempt to overturn the election reaches trial.
The newly released document paints a picture of a president who refused to accept electoral defeat, disregarded legal challenges, and relentlessly pushed false claims of election fraud. It alleges Trump “laid the groundwork for his crimes” well before Election Day in 2020. As Election Day approached, Trump insisted that he could only lose if fraud occurred, setting the stage for his subsequent refusal to accept the results.
Trump Laid the Groundwork Before Election Day
According to prosecutors, Trump began setting the foundation for his illegal scheme long before Election Day. He repeatedly implied that any loss would only be the result of fraud. A particularly striking moment, cited in the filing, came three days before the election when a political adviser reportedly told a group of supporters that Trump would “declare himself the winner” regardless of the outcome. The adviser clarified, “That doesn’t mean he’s the winner, he’s just going to say he’s the winner.”
Prosecutors argue that Trump did exactly this. As votes were still being counted, he falsely declared victory. The filing further details how Trump’s allies sought to create chaos at polling locations. When a campaign employee learned of a batch of votes in Detroit that heavily favored Biden, they instructed a colleague to “find a reason” to discredit those votes. When warned about possible unrest, the employee simply responded, “Make them riot” and “Do it!!!”
Disregard for Legal Advice: “The Details Don’t Matter”
The filing also underscores Trump’s dismissal of legal advice that contradicted his narrative of election fraud. Prosecutors allege that Trump was repeatedly told by those in his circle that there was no substantial evidence of widespread fraud and that his election claims would not hold up in court. One particularly significant interaction described in the filing involved a lawyer from Trump’s first impeachment trial, who told Trump that his election fraud arguments would likely be rejected in court. Trump’s response: “The details don’t matter.”
Prosecutors also point out that Trump and his allies “fabricated figures” to support their baseless claims, even frequently changing the numbers they used to allege noncitizens had voted in Arizona. This cavalier disregard for facts, according to prosecutors, demonstrates Trump’s willingness to spread misinformation for his own benefit.
Relentless Pressure on Vice President Mike Pence
The filing provides a granular account of Trump’s efforts to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence into rejecting the certification of electoral votes. The pressure campaign began well before Election Day and intensified up to the final moments of January 6, 2021.
After major news organizations called the election for Joe Biden on November 7, Pence reportedly tried to “encourage” Trump by reminding him of his accomplishments, including giving a “new lease on life” to a struggling Republican Party. Pence, aiming to diffuse the situation, told Trump that the next presidential election in 2024 was “not so far off.” However, Trump ignored these suggestions and instead continued to push for legal maneuvers that might overturn the election results.
On December 28, when Pence refused to support the ongoing legal challenges that Trump and his congressional allies were pursuing, Trump turned hostile. He told Pence that “hundreds of thousands” of people were “gonna hate your guts” and that people would think he was “stupid.” Trump accused Pence of being “too honest” to do what was necessary.
The pressure culminated in a face-to-face meeting in the Oval Office just before the January 6 certification. Trump reportedly tried one last time to convince Pence that he had the authority to “decertify” the election results. When Pence stood firm, Trump threatened to publicly criticize him. According to the filing, Trump told Pence, “I’m gonna have to say you did a great disservice.” Pence took this comment as a direct threat, and it was serious enough that a member of his team alerted Pence’s Secret Service detail.
Trump’s Dismissal of Pence’s Safety: “So What?”
As rioters stormed the Capitol on January 6, an aide rushed to inform Trump that Pence had been evacuated to a secure location for his safety. Prosecutors allege that the aide hoped Trump would act to protect his vice president and quell the violence. Instead, Trump’s only response was, “So what?”
Prosecutors say they will present forensic evidence, including data from Trump’s cellphone and testimonies from witnesses, to show how Trump spent the afternoon of January 6 watching the unfolding chaos on television and posting on Twitter. He allegedly refused repeated calls from his aides to issue a public statement urging the rioters to stand down.
Instead, Trump sent out a tweet attacking Pence for not having the “courage to do what should have been done” to prevent Biden’s certification. This tweet, according to prosecutors, was read aloud by a rioter with a bullhorn to the crowd attempting to breach the Capitol.
It was only after multiple appeals from his advisers that Trump eventually sent out another tweet, this time encouraging his supporters to “stay peaceful” and support law enforcement. However, prosecutors argue that this was far too late to effectively quell the violence, which had already spiraled out of control.
The Stakes of the Court Case
Trump, who is currently campaigning for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race, has repeatedly asserted that he did nothing illegal. He claims that the legal actions against him are politically motivated, aimed at derailing his bid to return to the White House. Trump’s legal team is now preparing to counter the special counsel’s evidence as they push for the case to be dismissed.
The 165-page court filing provides significant insight into the evidence that prosecutors intend to present, portraying Trump as a leader willing to go to extraordinary—and illegal—lengths to retain power. It offers a damning account of his actions, emphasizing the extent to which he allegedly disregarded both democratic norms and the law.
Court Filing Reveals Court Filing Reveals
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