Trump Asked Attorney General To Seize Voting Machines, DOJ Officials Say
Table of Contents
Topline
Former President Donald Trump requested leading Department of Justice officials to seize voting equipment in an tense “unexpected emergency assembly” on December 31, 2020, as portion of an apparent try to uncover evidence of voter fraud, DOJ leaders advised the January 6 committee—but the officers pushed back on the idea, which they did not take into account legal.
Jeffrey Rosen, former performing lawyer normal, testifies as the Household find committee investigating … [+]
Critical Facts
Previous Deputy Attorney Standard Richard Donoghue recalled the assembly throughout a recorded deposition that was played through the House January 6 committee’s hearing Thursday, stating Trump requested the officers: “Why you should not you seize the equipment.”
Former Performing Legal professional General Jeffrey Rosen testified Thursday that the Justice Section found “nothing poor with regard to the voting machines,” adding he did not feel there was a factual foundation or legal authority to seize machines.
Donoghue testified Thursday that Trump was “really agitated” by Rosen’s response, just before floating the strategy of firing him and Rosen and appointing DOJ environmental lawyer Jeffrey Clark, who supported bogus voter fraud promises, as legal professional typical.
Essential Estimate
“Mr. President, you ought to have the management that you want,” Donoghue stated he explained to Trump just after the president recommended firing him. “But, fully grasp, the United States Justice Section capabilities on specifics, evidence and law. And people are not heading to transform.”
Important History
Thursday’s hearing is the fifth held by the January 6 committee this thirty day period. It is focused on Trump’s try to influence the Justice Department to overturn the benefits of the 2020 election.