All articles tagged with #electioninterference
Prosecutors in three U.S. states are actively pursuing legal cases related to election interference, highlighting ongoing efforts to address alleged misconduct in the electoral process.
Romania's presidential election was abruptly canceled due to alleged Russian interference, which amplified the far-right candidate Calin Georgescu's campaign via TikTok. While Russia denies involvement, Romanian intelligence declassified documents suggesting a significant influence operation. The situation highlights existing societal grievances, such as economic disparity and political disillusionment, which Georgescu's nationalist rhetoric tapped into. The incident raises concerns about the vulnerability of democracies to external meddling and the potential for future unrest if underlying issues remain unaddressed.
Donald Trump's lawyers have filed a motion with the Georgia Court of Appeals to dismiss the Fulton County racketeering case against him, arguing that as President-elect, he is immune from state or federal indictment. They cite a Justice Department memo stating that sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted, although the Georgia case is a state matter. The case has been delayed due to challenges against the Fulton County DA, and Trump's team is pushing for dismissal before his inauguration.
The Georgia Court of Appeals has indefinitely postponed oral arguments in a case involving President-elect Donald Trump and others seeking to remove Fulton County DA Fani Willis from an election interference prosecution. This decision comes amid a broader pause in several criminal cases against Trump following his recent presidential election victory. The cases, including those in New York, Washington, D.C., and Florida, are being reassessed in light of Trump's electoral win, with some proceedings already delayed or dismissed.
Russia has intensified its efforts to interfere in elections, openly escalating its tactics to influence political outcomes. This includes sophisticated cyber operations and disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining democratic processes in various countries, particularly targeting the United States. The escalation highlights the ongoing challenges in safeguarding electoral integrity against foreign interference.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a stern warning to anyone considering interfering with the 2024 presidential election in the battleground state, emphasizing the seriousness of potential legal consequences.
Russian disinformation campaigns are intensifying ahead of the 2024 U.S. elections, aiming to destabilize the electoral process and increase domestic discord. Research by Antibot4Navalny highlights two major campaigns, Matryoshka and Doppelganger, spreading false narratives about election fraud and targeting Vice President Kamala Harris. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to distract U.S. elites from international issues like aid to Ukraine. State officials and tech companies are working to counter these threats, which are expected to persist beyond Election Day.
Federal prosecutors, led by special counsel Jack Smith, have countered former President Donald Trump's claims that they should be held in contempt of court for filing motions while the case against Trump is paused. Trump's legal team has accused the prosecutors of misconduct for continuing to work on the case, which accuses Trump of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, despite a court-ordered stay. The prosecutors argue that their actions do not violate the court's order and are part of their efforts to ensure a speedy trial. The dispute over Trump's claim of immunity and the timing of the case is ongoing, with implications for whether the trial will proceed before the November election or if it will be tried at all, especially if Trump were to regain the presidency.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of Donald Trump's effort to remain on the 2024 ballot, challenging a Colorado Supreme Court decision that disqualified him based on his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. The brief argues that barring Trump from the ballot is undemocratic and could lead to "chaos" in the electoral process. The RNC and NRCC, along with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, are rallying behind Trump, framing the ballot exclusions as election interference and an attack on the electoral system. The Supreme Court is expected to address the case, with Trump remaining on ballots during the appeals process.
Harrison Floyd, a former Trump campaign aide, had a confrontational encounter with FBI agents attempting to serve him a grand jury subpoena related to Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into Trump's election subversion efforts. Bodycam footage obtained by POLITICO shows Floyd discussing the incident with local police, revealing his consideration to disarm the agents and his uncertainty about their identity. The subpoena, which became public through the footage, demands records of Floyd's contacts with Trump and others, and relates to the harassment of Georgia election workers. Floyd faces criminal charges in Georgia for election interference and was also charged with assaulting an officer during the subpoena incident. Special Counsel Smith has not charged Floyd in the federal case, but the details of the subpoena provide insights into the direction of the ongoing probe.
Lawyers for former President Donald Trump are seeking to have special counsel Jack Smith and his team held in contempt, alleging they violated a judge's order by advancing the 2020 election interference case during a temporary stay. Trump's defense accuses the prosecution of engaging in partisan conduct and improperly handling evidence and court filings. The legal dispute underscores the ongoing tension in the case, which also touches on the unresolved issue of a former president's immunity from prosecution. The case is one of several legal challenges Trump faces, including charges related to classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and election interference in Georgia.
Former President Donald Trump's legal team is attempting to delay his federal election interference trial, arguing that special counsel Jack Smith and prosecutors should be held in contempt for continuing legal actions despite a stay in proceedings. Trump's lawyer, John Lauro, insists the trial should be postponed until 2026 and accuses prosecutors of partisan misconduct. The special counsel's office has been meeting pretrial deadlines to ensure a prompt trial if the court's stay is lifted. Trump's campaign has attacked Smith, framing Trump's actions as a duty to investigate the 2020 election, while Smith's team alleges Trump was acting in personal interest. The trial is currently scheduled for March 4, 2024, but Trump's team is seeking to extend this date.
Georgia's Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a Trump supporter and one of the "fake electors" attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, is to be investigated for election interference. However, the selection of a special prosecutor by the head of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, Peter J. Skandalakis, is complicated by partisan concerns and a previous judge's ruling of conflict of interest for the Fulton County district attorney. The search for an impartial investigator continues amidst political tensions and resource constraints, with Jones potentially eyeing a gubernatorial run in 2026.
Nick Akerman, a Watergate prosecutor, predicts that the Supreme Court will not hear former President Donald Trump's appeal on presidential immunity in connection with charges from the January 6 insurrection and the 2020 election interference case. Trump has been charged with several counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, and has pleaded not guilty, claiming political targeting. The Supreme Court has already declined to rule on Trump's claims, stating an appellate court must first decide. Legal analysts suggest Trump may be attempting to delay his trial, set for March 4, until after the 2024 presidential election, where a win could allow him to pardon himself or drop the charges. However, Akerman believes the Supreme Court will avoid intervening in the matter, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.
Former President Donald J. Trump's lawyers have submitted their final written argument to a federal appeals court, seeking to grant Trump immunity from charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. They argue that a long-standing tradition of not prosecuting presidents for official acts supports the claim of executive immunity and warn of potential politically motivated prosecutions against future presidents. The case, which has significant legal implications regarding the criminal liability of former presidents, is currently on hold pending the resolution of the immunity issue. The trial is scheduled to begin in early March, but Trump's legal team is attempting to delay it, potentially until after the 2024 election. The appeals court, consisting of judges appointed by both Presidents George H.W. Bush and Biden, will hear the case next week.