Former President Donald Trump’s defense attorney, John Lauro, has stated that Trump never asked former Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the will of the voters in the 2020 election. Instead, Lauro claims that Trump only wanted Pence to “pause” the certification of votes to allow states to investigate his claims of election fraud. These claims, which had already been rejected by numerous courts, formed the basis of Trump’s petition to delay the certification on January 6, 2021.
Lauro defended Trump’s actions, stating that the former president believed there were irregularities in the election that needed to be investigated by state authorities before the election could be certified. Lauro made these statements during appearances on several Sunday morning news shows, including CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
In addition to his defense strategy, Trump also criticized U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the case against him. On his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that his legal team would be seeking the recusal of Judge Chutkan and requesting a change of venue for the trial, moving it outside of Washington.
These recent developments come as Trump faces charges that could result in decades of imprisonment if he is convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges, which include allegations of falsifying business records, hush money payments to a porn actor, and obstruction of justice.
Last week’s indictment detailed how Trump and his allies repeatedly lied about the election results and pressured Pence and state election officials to take action to help him remain in power. These efforts culminated in the violent storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, by Trump supporters attempting to stop the certification.
Lauro stated that Pence’s testimony will support Trump’s belief that the election was rigged and that he was following the advice of his attorneys when he sought to delay the certification. Pence, who appeared before the grand jury that indicted Trump, has stated that he will comply with the law if asked to testify. However, Pence flatly rejected the claim that Trump was seeking a mere certification “pause,” stating that Trump seemed convinced as early as December that Pence had the authority to reject or return votes.
Pence’s role in certifying Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 election makes him a central figure in the prosecution against Trump. The indictment alleges that Trump sought to overturn the will of the voters and remain in office despite the courts’ rejection of his claims of electoral fraud. Federal and state election officials, as well as Trump’s own attorney general, had also stated that there was no credible evidence of election tampering.
Former allies of Trump have claimed that he knew he had lost the election but spread false claims of fraud regardless. When his attempts to convince state officials to swing the election illegally failed, Trump and his allies recruited fake electors in swing states to sign certificates falsely stating that he had prevailed.
Lauro also revealed that Trump’s defense team will seek to move the case out of Washington, as they believe a more diverse jury would be beneficial. He expressed support for televising the trial and dismissed speculation that it could conclude before the 2024 election, stating that cases of this magnitude typically take two to three years to go to trial.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican and former federal prosecutor, expressed confidence in the fairness of a trial in the nation’s capital. He stated that he believes jurors can be fair and expressed his faith in the American people.
Several individuals charged in the January 6 riot have attempted to have their trials moved out of Washington, but judges have consistently rejected these motions, asserting that fair jurors can be found through proper questioning.
Trump’s legal team has until 5 p.m. Monday to respond to the prosecution’s request for a protective order that would limit Trump’s ability to publicly disclose information about the case. The decision on this matter rests with Judge Chutkan.
Prosecutors argued that a protective order is particularly important in this case due to Trump’s previous social media posts about witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with the legal matters pending against him. They specifically pointed to a recent post on Trump’s Truth Social platform in which he wrote, in all capital letters, “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!”
In what ways do Trump’s criticisms of Judge Chutkan and his request for a change of venue affect the perception of the election’s fairness and free from widespread fraud
Different perspective, maintaining that the election was fair and free from widespread fraud.
The defense strategy presented by Lauro raises questions about Trump’s intentions and knowledge of the law surrounding the certification process. Critics argue that Trump’s repeated false claims about election fraud contributed to the events of January 6 and undermined the democratic process.
Trump’s criticism of Judge Chutkan and his request for a change of venue demonstrate his desire to challenge the legal proceedings and potentially sway the outcome of his trial. Whether these requests will be granted remains to be seen.
As Trump faces serious charges that could result in severe penalties, including imprisonment, the outcome of his trial will have significant implications for both him and the nation. The indictment’s allegations paint a picture of a concerted effort to undermine the election results and retain power.
The upcoming testimony of Pence will likely provide further insight into Trump’s actions and state of mind during the election certification process. Pence’s role in certifying Biden’s victory makes him a critical witness, and his testimony could potentially influence the outcome of the trial.
Overall, the developments in Trump’s case highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the integrity of the 2020 election and the potential consequences for those who sought to overturn the will of the voters. The trial will serve as a crucial moment in American history, with wide-ranging implications for the country’s future.