Author: PSE Guide

  • The Fake Electors Plot: Trump’s Electoral College Strategy – Jan 2021

    The Fake Electors Plot: Trump’s Electoral College Strategy – Jan 2021

    Following Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, he and his allies attempted various strategies to overturn the results. One of the most significant efforts was the “fake electors” plot, aimed at subverting the Electoral College process. This scheme involved Republican activists in seven battleground states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—who falsely declared themselves as legitimate electors for Trump. These fake elector certificates were submitted to the National Archives and Congress, aiming to create confusion and provide justification for blocking or delaying Biden’s certification on January 6, 2021.

    This effort was coordinated alongside Trump’s legal team’s broader attempts to pressure state officials and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election. White House lawyers warned the scheme was unlawful, yet Trump’s inner circle continued pushing it forward, citing dubious legal justifications. Unlike the 1960 Hawaii precedent, where dueling electors were submitted due to an ongoing recount, there were no legitimate legal disputes in 2020 that warranted such actions.

    Key Individuals Involved:

    • Donald Trump: Directly pushed for the scheme, pressuring officials and advocating for fake electors to be counted.
    • Rudy Giuliani: Coordinated efforts with state GOP officials to organize false electors.
    • John Eastman & Kenneth Chesebro: Developed legal arguments and strategies for the scheme, with Chesebro drafting key memos.
    • Mark Meadows: Trump’s Chief of Staff, involved in strategic discussions.
    • Boris Epshteyn & Mike Roman: Played logistical roles, ensuring fake elector certificates were properly submitted.
    • State-Level GOP Officials: Various state Republican leaders and activists participated, signing and submitting the false documents.

    Legal Implications and Charges:

    Authorities at the state and federal levels have investigated and prosecuted those involved. Criminal charges include forgery, conspiracy, fraud, and election law violations. Indictments have been issued in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, with Trump himself federally charged in 2023 for conspiring to overturn the election. In some states, fake electors secured immunity deals by cooperating with prosecutors.

    Several key figures, including Chesebro and Giuliani, have been indicted. Chesebro pleaded guilty in Georgia and agreed to testify. Michigan charged 16 fake electors with eight felony counts each, and Arizona indicted 18 individuals, including state GOP officials. In Nevada, six fake electors face felony charges, while Wisconsin targeted the organizers of the scheme rather than the electors themselves.

    At the federal level, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s indictment of Trump in Washington, D.C., highlights the fake electors plot as a core element of a broader conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Trump’s trial, originally scheduled for 2024, remains pending due to legal challenges.

    Investigations and Trials:

    • Congressional Investigation: The House Jan. 6 Committee identified the fake electors plan as central to Trump’s election interference efforts.
    • State-Level Prosecutions: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin have active cases, with some guilty pleas and upcoming trials.
    • Federal Prosecution: Trump and associates face federal charges, with trials expected in 2024-2025.

    Challenges in prosecution include legal maneuvering by defendants and procedural delays. However, the Electoral Count Reform Act (2022) has since clarified that the Vice President’s role in certifying electoral votes is purely ceremonial, preventing similar attempts in future elections.

    Public and Political Reactions:

    The fake electors plot has divided political opinion. Democrats view it as an attack on democracy and support the prosecutions, while Republicans are split—some defend the electors as a precautionary measure, while others distance themselves. Trump and his allies label the legal actions as politically motivated. Meanwhile, some of the charged electors have continued to run for political office or fundraise, presenting themselves as victims of political persecution.

    The ongoing trials will shape the legacy of this unprecedented scheme. The plot has already led to stricter election laws and heightened awareness of attempts to subvert democracy. Whether additional convictions occur or Trump himself faces legal consequences remains to be seen, but the legal and political fallout will likely influence future elections and governance in the U.S.

    Sources:

    1. House Jan. 6 Committee Final Report
    2. U.S. Department of Justice Indictments (Special Counsel Jack Smith)
    3. Fulton County, Georgia RICO Indictments
    4. Michigan Attorney General Press Releases
    5. Arizona Attorney General Indictments
    6. Nevada State Prosecution Filings
    7. Wisconsin Department of Justice Announcements
    8. Various News Reports (The Washington Post, The New York Times, Politico, CNN)
    9. Congressional Record: Electoral Count Reform Act (2022)
    10. Court Filings and Plea Agreements from Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan Cases

  • Top 5 Ways Unauthorized Immigrants Enter the U.S.

    Top 5 Ways Unauthorized Immigrants Enter the U.S.

    Unauthorized immigrants in the United States enter the country through a variety of methods. Here’s a breakdown of the primary ways people come into the country without proper documentation:

    1. Visa Overstays (Approximately 40-50%)

    • Description: Many unauthorized immigrants enter the U.S. legally with a visa (e.g., tourist, student, or work visa) but remain in the country after the visa expires.
    • Trends: Overstays have become a leading source of unauthorized immigration due to improvements in border security reducing illegal crossings.

    2. Border Crossings Without Inspection (Approximately 50-60%)

    • Description: This includes individuals who cross the U.S.-Mexico border or, to a lesser extent, the U.S.-Canada border, outside designated ports of entry.
    • Trends: This category used to account for the majority of unauthorized immigrants, but its share has decreased over the years. Border security enhancements, such as barriers and surveillance, have made crossings more challenging.

    3. Fraudulent Entry (Small Percentage)

    • Description: Some individuals use fraudulent documents, misrepresentations, or other deceptive means to gain entry at official ports of entry.
    • Examples: Using a fake visa or passport.

    4. Human Smuggling or Trafficking (Small Percentage)

    • Description: People may rely on smuggling networks to facilitate their entry into the U.S., sometimes under coercive or exploitative conditions.
    • Trends: This often overlaps with other methods, particularly unauthorized border crossings.

    5. Failure to Depart After Legal Entry Without a Visa (Small Percentage)

    • Description: Citizens from countries in the Visa Waiver Program may enter the U.S. legally without a visa but remain after their authorized stay expires.
  • Evidence of Trump’s Attempts to Overturn 2020 Election

    Evidence of Trump’s Attempts to Overturn 2020 Election

    There is significant evidence presented in legal cases, investigations, and congressional hearings. These sources suggest Donald Trump attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Key examples include:

    1. Pressuring State Officials

    • Georgia Call: Trump called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on January 2, 2021. He urged him to “find 11,780 votes.” This was the exact number needed to overturn Biden’s victory in the state. The audio recording of the call was made public.

    2. Fake Elector Scheme

    • Trump and his allies promoted a plan to create false electoral certificates. They aimed to submit these certificates from states where he lost. The certificates falsely declared Trump as the winner. The Department of Justice conducted investigations. Congressional investigations also took place. They uncovered extensive efforts to recruit and organize alternate electors in battleground states like Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.

    3. Efforts to Involve the Justice Department

    • Trump allegedly pressured the Department of Justice to declare the election corrupt, according to testimony from DOJ officials. Acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue testified that Trump told him to “just say the election was corrupt.” He also said to “leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen.”

    4. Attempts to Influence Vice President Mike Pence

    • Trump repeatedly pressured Vice President Mike Pence. He wanted Pence to reject the certification of Electoral College results during the January 6, 2021, joint session of Congress. Pence refused, citing his lack of constitutional authority to overturn the results.

    5. Capitol Riot on January 6, 2021

    • In the lead-up to January 6, Trump publicly urged supporters to come to Washington, D.C., tweeting: “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!”
    • During his rally that day, Trump encouraged the crowd to “fight like hell.” He urged them to march to the Capitol, where the certification was taking place. Many rioters claimed they acted based on Trump’s statements.

    6. Legal Challenges Without Evidence

    • Trump’s legal team filed more than 60 lawsuits challenging the election results. Many of these lawsuits were dismissed for lack of evidence. Judges, including those appointed by Trump, repeatedly stated that no significant voter fraud occurred.

    7. Congressional and Legal Investigations

    • The House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack released detailed findings. These findings include testimonies and communications. They show coordination between Trump, his advisors, and extremist groups.
    • Several indictments have been filed. These include the Georgia RICO case and federal charges by Special Counsel Jack Smith. They allege Trump was the central figure in a multi-pronged effort to overturn the election.