Testimony by Republicans at the Jan. 6 hearings clearly illustrates that President Donald Trump unilaterally orchestrated the “Big Lie” as follows:
1. He persisted even though Attorney General Bill Barr told the president claims of election fraud were “bull——.”
2. Barr resigned and Trump pressured acting Attorney General Geoffrey Rosen by saying, “Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen.” He knew there was none.
3. Trump pressured the director of Homeland Security to seize voting machines, but he refused because he knew it was illegal.
4. Phone call records and testimony reveal he directed the scheme to submit Republican slates of electors in key battleground states. This is unconstitutional.
5. Trump pressured Vice President Mike Pence to forestall and disrupt the electoral vote count on Jan. 6. Pence is a hero for refusing.
6. He instigated the crowd that stormed the Capitol that led to mayhem, destruction and death.
For you Trump supporters out there, you were not only “duped,” but the $250 million in donations you gave him for his supposed defense fund has been used only for Trump organizations. That’s two slaps in the face.
Sadly, Trump will suffer little. It’s doubtful a former president will go to jail. If he’s fined, good luck collecting the money, since he’ll tie things up in the courts. Lastly, his base will still follow him because they don’t watch the news and are incapable of admitting they were wrong in supporting him.
This man clearly lost the election and disgracefully tried to overthrow democracy.
Tom Tarosky
West Leechburg