a significant development reported by The Detroit News, a recorded phone call has surfaced, revealing former President Donald Trump pressuring two Republican members of the Wayne County canvassers in Michigan not to certify the 2020 presidential election. This revelation adds a new layer to the controversy surrounding Trump’s efforts to challenge the election results and raises questions about the extent of his influence on local officials.
Trump’s Recorded Call Unveiled: A Direct Appeal to Canvassers
The Detroit News broke the story, disclosing that Trump was recorded on a November 17, 2020 phone call, attempting to influence the certification process in Wayne County, Michigan, the state’s most populous county. In the recorded conversation, Trump is heard telling the two Republican canvassers that they would look “terrible” if they signed the certification. The former president urged them not to certify the election results, making unproven claims of fraud and asserting that the country was at risk.
The pressure extended beyond Trump, as Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, was also on the call. According to the report, McDaniel advised the canvassers not to sign the certification, promising to provide them with attorneys. In response, Trump assured, “We’ll take care of that.”
Craig Mauger, the reporter who broke the story, emphasized that the call lasted approximately 11 minutes, with the excerpt made public covering four minutes. The revelation challenges previous statements by the canvassers, who had downplayed the significance of the call, claiming it was a routine acknowledgment of their service.
Canvassers’ Response and Trump’s Tone
The canvassers’ response during the call was limited, as heard in the reviewed recordings. They attempted to defend their actions during the contentious canvassers meeting in November 2020, where they initially voted against certifying the election results. The meeting witnessed public pressure, and a deal was eventually brokered for certification with an accompanying demand for an audit.
Listening to the tone of Trump’s voice during the call, Mauger described it as an appeal, a direct plea to the canvassers. The former president reiterated unproven claims of election fraud, questioning the legitimacy of the results in Detroit, Michigan’s largest city.
Legal and Political Implications
Legal experts and political analysts, including Harvard Law School Professor Jared Elias, weighed in on the unusual nature of a former president pressuring local officials, underscoring the potential legal consequences. The revelation adds to the mounting evidence of Trump’s efforts to challenge the election outcome and raises questions about the extent of his involvement in local certification processes.
Political commentator Laurence Tribe pointed out the connections between this recorded call and other instances where Trump sought to influence election-related decisions, such as the controversial call to Georgia officials urging them to “find” votes. Tribe suggested that the upcoming trial related to the January 6th insurrection could further expose Trump’s attempts to interfere with the democratic process.
Marshall, who has extensively reported on the canvassers, emphasized the unprecedented nature of local officials receiving a call from the president of the United States. The revelation sheds light on the lengths to which Trump went to contest the election results, reaching down to local levels to overturn what he referred to as the “big steal.”
Contextualizing the Call within Trump’s Election Challenges
This newly disclosed recorded call aligns with Trump’s broader strategy to challenge the 2020 election results at various levels. From attempting to sway top state officials to lobbying local canvassers, the former president sought any avenue to contest the outcome. The call to Wayne County canvassers exemplifies Trump’s persistent efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the election, even after losing by over 100,000 votes in Michigan.
Looking Ahead: Legal Ramifications and Ongoing Investigations
As the revelations from the recorded call continue to unfold, legal experts anticipate potential legal consequences for Trump. The upcoming trial set to begin on March 4th related to the January 6th insurrection is expected to delve into the evidence of Trump’s attempts to interfere with the peaceful transition of power.
The unfolding details, including Trump’s recorded pressure on Wayne County canvassers, contribute to a broader narrative of the former president’s actions post-election. The call, marked by unproven claims and direct appeals, underscores the significance of ongoing investigations into Trump’s role in challenging the democratic process.