In a stunning turn of events, an Arizona grand jury has charged 18 individuals, including high-profile figures from Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign, for their alleged role in a sophisticated scheme to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state. Among those indicted are former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, Christina Bobb, campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn, and former campaign aide Mike Roman.
The indictment reads, “Unwilling to accept this fact, Defendants and unindicted co-conspirators schemed to prevent the lawful transfer of the presidency” to keep Trump in office “against the will of Arizona’s voters.” This action, according to prosecutors, was not only a blatant attempt to deprive Arizona voters of their rights but also a concerted effort to obstruct the certification of Biden’s victory in Congress on January 6, 2021.
Furthermore, 11 Arizona Republicans, including key political figures like former state party chair Kelli Ward and state senators, have been charged for their roles in supporting this strategy by signing paperwork falsely asserting Trump as the rightful winner. The charges brought against all defendants include conspiracy, fraudulent schemes and artifices, and forgery, all felonies, with the most severe charge carrying a standard sentence of five years in prison.
The response from those representing the defendants has been one of categorical denial and the characterization of the indictments as politically motivated. George Terwilliger, representing Meadows, declared the indictment as “a blatantly political and politicized accusation,” while Charles Burnham, attorney for Eastman, stated his client is ““is innocent of criminal conduct in Arizona or any other place and will fight these charges as he has all the other unjust accusations leveled against him.” Similarly, Ted Goodman, spokesman for Giuliani, critiqued the indictment as “continued weaponization of our justice system.”
Arizona’s aggressive legal action marks the state as the fourth, following Michigan, Georgia, and Nevada, to seek charges against individuals involved in the alternate slate of electors tactic. As the legal proceedings slowly progress, attention is inevitably drawn to the upcoming elections, with Trump once again seeking the presidency amidst concerns of potential contentiousness.
The accused individuals’ involvement in the elector strategy had long been justified by Trump’s allies under the claim that the move was legal and that the electors were merely placeholders pending the success of legal challenges. However, Attorney General Mayes’s charges assert a premeditated intention to utilize the electors in falsely claiming election outcome uncertainty, thereby facilitating the effort to interfere with the certification process.
Relevant articles:
– Meadows, Giuliani and other Trump allies charged in Arizona 2020 election probe, The Washington Post, 04/25/2024
– 18 indicted in alleged 2020 fake Arizona elector scheme tied to Trump, AG announces, CBS News, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:34:51 GMT
– Election interference case: Arizona indicts 18, including Giuliani and Meadows, The Associated Press, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:34:00 GMT
– Giuliani, Meadows indicted in Arizona fake elector scheme; Trump unindicted co-conspirator, ABC News, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:33:45 GMT
– Video: Are there any concerns about the 18 Arizona Republicans who were indicted for election fraud?, KTAR.com, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:20:00 GMT