We will start by setting the mood:
My God. https://t.co/3shI7dqinm [1]
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) January 21, 2022 [2]
Yes, that is the appropriate response to Politico obtaining a copy of a never-signed order, dated Dec. 16th (Day after Electoral College Vote), part of which involves an order to the Defense Department, the military, to move in and seize all voting machines in Michigan, all based upon entirely untrue conspiracy theories invented to prevent having to think about losing.
From Politico [3], some of the highlights:
The executive order — which also would have appointed a special counsel to probe the 2020 election — was never issued, and the remarks were never delivered. Together, the two documents point to the wildly divergent perspectives of White House advisers and allies during Trump’s frenetic final weeks in office.
There is nothing in the Constitution that could have dealt with the appointment of a special counsel and if we know anything, it is that a special counsel requires years to “probe” anything. The order would have been signed Dec. 16th or some day later, three weeks prior to January 6th. It takes any decent special counsel two to three weeks to find office space, hire investigators, hire other staff, from attorneys to investigators.
Had the order been issued, the U.S. military would necessarily already be playing a role in the probe and Trump would have remained president – given that January 6th might not have been possible. Mike Pence might have felt that his hands were tied at that point. It would have been a military coup.
Again, the document was never signed, but it had made its way into the White House (Or was generated in the White House). As bad as the interim period was, it could have been much much worse.
The document can be found here [3], responses are below:
words cannot https://t.co/zTvpNPKz0A [4]
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) January 21, 2022 [5]
This is frightening. Arrest these people, for god sakes. #DonaldTrump [6] and everyone named must be arrested and indicted today! https://t.co/MXaZZvWXjs [7]
— Amy Aiello Lofgren (@azsweetheart013) January 21, 2022 [8]
It was a fucking planned coup. Lock him up. https://t.co/6JlgddH9b4 [9]
— Jeff Timmer (@jefftimmer) January 21, 2022 [10]
Yet another chapter in the nightmare tale of how the twice impeached and defeated president attempted a coup to hold onto power. https://t.co/tVz7VR2IX3 [11]
— HawaiiDelilah™ — Vote Blue in 2022 — (@HawaiiDelilah) January 21, 2022 [12]
The planning and delusion is incredible! https://t.co/LAdHpeS19y [13]
— Irma (@IbatesIrma) January 21, 2022 [14]
More competent Nazis would have done it. They won't be this stupid next time. Organize now, or Agonize later. https://t.co/genynaWOwb [15]
— Rural Freedom Network (@RuralFreedomNet) January 21, 2022 [16]
Exactly. And where is Garland and @TheJusticeDept [17]? https://t.co/JuFkLdu5Ri [18]
— Jim Brooks 🥁🚴♟🦮 (@JBrooks191) January 21, 2022 [19]
Well, this order wasn’t signed, and so in and of itself, it doesn’t constitute a crime. But it is breathtaking how close we came.
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