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Plot to Subvert Democracy: Trump’s “Unhinged” Oval Office Meet
When: December 18, 2020 via CNN
Background:
Late in the evening, approximately six weeks after Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, a tense confrontation erupted in the White House between Trump's dismissed national security adviser and a top aide. A group of unofficial shadow Trump advisers had arrived at the Oval Office to present options for Trump to take extraordinary, illegal actions to overturn the election and retain power. Despite the efforts of some White House advisers to dissuade him, Trump mulled radical suggestions to ignore the election outcome, including seizing voting machines. invoking martial law, and appointing a special counsel to ‘investigate’ election fraud. Notably, Patrick Byrne, a former CEO of Overstock.com who was present at the meeting, had a prior relationship with Maria Butina, a Russian spy who served jail time in the U.S.
Here is what happened…
A group of unofficial Trump advisers, including Michael Flynn, Rudy Giuliani, and Sidney Powell, presented illegal options to Trump to challenge the election results.
Trump considered illegal ideas, such as seizing voting machines, invoking martial law, and appointing Powell as a special counsel.
White House advisers attempted to push back against these suggestions, emphasizing the lack of evidence and the illegality of such actions.
Patrick Byrne, who was present at the meeting, had previously dated Maria Butina, a Russian spy.
Rudy Giuliani, who was present, sought assistance from Russian intelligence agent Andrii Derkach to fabricate information, open a sham probe in Ukraine, spread disinformation, etc. during the 2020 election against Hunter Biden, to discredit then-candidate Joe Biden,
Why it Matters…
Trump’s actions underscore the dangers of authoritarian behavior and the erosion of democratic norms within the highest levels of government. By knowingly fabricating and spreading baseless claims of election fraud and considering extreme measures to retain power, Trump demonstrated a willingness to plunge America into an authoritarian state. Trump's dangerous actions demonstrate how dictators often surround themselves with sycophants who prioritize personal loyalty over institutional integrity and the rule of law, resulting in chaos and threats to democracy.
Trump's active measures have inflicted lasting damage on America, with a significant portion of the electorate still clinging to the baseless belief that the 2020 election was stolen. Furthermore, the Republican Party has been transformed into a Trump-centric entity, prioritizing loyalty to the former president above all else. Despite facing indictment for election-related crimes and posing a clear threat to the country's stability, Trump continues to command unwavering fealty from within his party. Should Trump regain power, he will never leave. It is incumbent upon all of us to do our part and vote!