Trump’s Bid to Steal the 2020 Election: Shocking Details Emerge
In the aftermath of the 2020 United States presidential election, former President Donald Trump and his surrogates were under extreme scrutiny over their attempts to question and overturn the valid outcome. Following his defeat at the hands of Joe Biden, Trump’s failure to concede sparked one of the most controversial chapters in modern American political history. In time, more shocking details have emerged on the depth of Trump’s attempt at disrupting the democratic process. This article examines the behind-the-scenes efforts and how Trump’s actions pushed the boundaries of law and ethics.
A Steady Campaign of Falsehoods
Trump’s effort to discredit the legitimacy of the election began with a false narrative of widespread voter fraud. The claims, which he made publicly and repeatedly on social media, were not backed by evidence. Nonetheless, Trump and his legal team filed dozens of lawsuits across multiple states, hoping to overturn the results. However, each of these cases was summarily dismissed by judges, some of whom Trump had appointed himself.
Losing most of the legal battles, Trump still refused to concede. His rhetoric grew increasingly belligerent, particularly about his entreaties with state officials to intervene. Most notably, Trump called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on January 2, 2021. In this phone call, he pressured Raffensperger to “find” the votes necessary to flip the outcome in Georgia, a state Biden had won by a narrow margin. The call was recorded and later leaked to the public; it gave rise to very serious questions concerning Trump’s behavior, which many people believed to be an illegal attempt at meddling with the results of an election.
Pressure on Officials and the Justice Department
Trump’s efforts went beyond public statements. He sought to pressure officials in his administration to take extreme measures to contest the election results. In one high-profile example, Trump pushed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate baseless claims of voter fraud. Attorney General William Barr, who was initially a staunch ally of Trump, eventually rejected these claims, stating there was no evidence of widespread fraud that would have altered the outcome of the election.
Even after Barr dismissed the claims of fraud, Trump continued his efforts to enlist the DOJ and other government officials in his mission. The former president even reportedly considered appointing a new special counsel to investigate the election, a move that was met with resistance from both Democrats and Republicans alike.
The Capitol Riot: A Climax of Tension
The most dramatic moment of Trump’s interference with the election came on January 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was set to certify Joe Biden’s victory. The violence was fanned by months of incendiary rhetoric from Trump and his allies, repeatedly claiming the election had been “stolen.”
On that day, as the rioters smashed into the Capitol, Trump declined to act decisively, waiting hours before issuing a message to calm the situation. His delay in acting forcefully that day stirred questions about whether he had intended for the chaos to erupt. The riot at the Capitol caused deaths, injuries, and significant damage to one of the country’s most iconic symbols of democracy.
Investigations and Legal Consequences
Since January 6, 2021, numerous investigations have ensued to determine Trump’s role in attempting to undo the results of the election. The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack has conducted several hearings, bringing forth new details on coordination between Trump’s allies and the rioters.
As of now, Trump has faced both criminal and civil investigations related to his attempts to influence the election outcome. While the legal process continues to unfold, the question remains whether Trump will be held accountable for his actions during the election and its aftermath. The case highlights the vulnerability of American democracy to attempts by political leaders to subvert its foundational principles.
A Wake-Up Call for Democracy
The shocking details of Trump’s efforts to steal the 2020 election underscored the fragile nature of democratic institutions. While the U.S. managed to survive the ordeal, the fallout has left deep divisions in the country. Trump’s actions have sparked widespread debate about election integrity, the role of political leaders, and the need for reform to prevent future abuses.
As America goes forward, the lessons of the 2020 election will ring out for years to come. Efforts at safeguarding democratic processes and guaranteeing accountability within government are now more needed than ever. The shocking events surrounding the 2020 election should serve as a stark reminder that democracy must always be defended and those who threaten it must be held accountable.
