Topline
Former President Donald Trump asked top Department of Justice officials to seize voting machines in an tense “emergency meeting” on December 31, 2020, as part of an apparent attempt to find evidence of voter fraud, DOJ leaders told the January 6 committee—but the officials pushed back on the idea, which they did not consider legal.
Jeffrey Rosen, former acting attorney general, testifies as the House select committee investigating … [+]
Key Facts
Former Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue recalled the meeting during a recorded deposition that was played during the House January 6 committee’s hearing Thursday, saying Trump asked the officials: “Why don’t you seize the machines.”
Former Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen testified Thursday that the Justice Department found “nothing improper with regard to the voting machines,” adding he didn’t believe there was a factual basis or legal authority to seize machines.
Donoghue testified Thursday that Trump was “very agitated” by Rosen’s response, before floating the idea of firing him and Rosen and appointing DOJ environmental lawyer Jeffrey Clark, who supported false voter fraud claims, as attorney general.
Crucial Quote
“Mr. President, you should have the leadership that you want,” Donoghue said he told Trump after the president suggested firing him. “But, understand, the United States Justice Department functions on facts, evidence and law. And those are not going to change.”
Key Background
Thursday’s hearing is the fifth held by the January 6 committee this month. It is focused on Trump’s attempt to influence the Justice Department to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/06/23/jan-6-hearings-trump-asked-attorney-general-to-seize-voting-machines-doj-officials-say/