Donald Trump’s pressure on Georgia’s foreign minister to cancel US President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the state is recorded in a tape he received Washington Post.
The conversation is mainly between Trump and Brad RavensburgerGeorgia’s Republican foreign minister, but Trump allies including Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, and attorney Cletta Mitchell, were present, as were Ryan Germany, General Counsel for Ravensburger. Here are the main points:
1. Trump sought to change the election result
On the call, Trump pressured Ravensburger to “find 11,780 votes.”
“People Georgia Angry, people in the country are angry. “And there is nothing wrong with saying, you know, that you have recalculated.” Then he pleaded later, “So what are we going to do here guys? I just need 11,000 votes. Guys, I need 11,000 votes. Give me a break.”
Joe Biden won Georgia. Results It was approved On Wednesday, Congress will certify Biden’s electoral college victory.
2. Trump tried to intimidate Ravensburger
Trump insisted: “It is impossible to lose Georgia. There is no way. We have won hundreds of thousands of votes.” He went on to suggest that Ravensberger might face a criminal investigation. Trump said, “You know what they did and you don’t report it.” “You know, this is a criminal offense. And you know, you can’t let that happen. This is a huge risk for you and Ryan.” [Germany]Your attorney. This is a big risk. “
3. Trump pressured the recent rounds in Georgia
Trump told Ravensberger that if he does not act by Tuesday, he will hurt the chances of Georgian Republicans David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler in this week’s run-off election, which will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the Senate. Referring to the run-offs in the call, Trump said, “You’re going to be respected, and really respected, if that can be corrected before the election.”
4. Ravensberger continued to stand up to Trump
A Republican Ravensburger rejected Trump and insisted Biden’s victory in Georgia was fair. In response to Trump, he said, “Well, Mr. President, your challenge is that the data you have is wrong.”
When Trump claimed that more than 5,000 ballots had been cast in the state by the dead, Ravensburger replied: “The actual number was two. Two. Two people voted.”
5. Trump may have committed a crime
University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias said Trump may be “in legal danger after Biden’s inauguration”. In an email to the Guardian, he wrote: “For example, if the Department of Justice or US attorneys believed that Trump had violated federal law, or if local prosecutors were in states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, where Trump may have engaged in similar behavior with election officials State or locals believe that Trump has violated state election laws, and federal or state prosecutors can file a case against Trump. “
“The president is either intentionally trying to force state officials to subvert the integrity of the elections or he’s so deluded that he believes what he says,” Richard Bilds, professor of constitutional law at New York University, told the Washington Post. He said Trump’s actions may have violated federal laws.
Michael R. Bromwich, a former federal prosecutor in the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York wrote: “Unless there are parts of the tape that somehow deny criminal intent,“ I just want to find 11,780 votes ”and his threats against Ravensberger and his attorney violating Law No. 52 of the United States 20511 “.
6. Trump refused to back down
On Sunday, Trump chirp: “I spoke with Secretary of State Brad Ravensberger yesterday about Fulton County and voter fraud in Georgia. He was unwilling or unable to answer questions like ‘under-the-table ballot’ fraud, ballot destruction, ‘out-of-state’ voters, deceased voters, and more. He had no clue!
Twitter described the tweet with a disclaimer: “This allegation about election fraud is disputed.” Ravensburger responded to Trump’s allegations with a tweet in which he said, “Respectfully, President Trump: What you’re saying is not true.”
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