A hearing in Arizona to determine the dismissal of charges against 18 Republicans accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome is set to continue into a second day. The defendants, including former President Donald Trump's aides and lawyers, face charges of forgery, fraud, and conspiracy related to submitting a false document claiming Trump won Arizona.
The defendants argue that the charges are an attempt to silence their constitutionally protected speech about the election and their actions following the results. They claim bias from Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who campaigned on investigating fake electors.
Prosecutors maintain that the defendants crossed the line from protected speech to fraud and lacked evidence to support their claims of retaliation. The indictment refers to Trump as an unindicted coconspirator, although he was not charged.
One defendant, Rudy Giuliani, is accused of pressuring officials to change Arizona's election outcome and encouraging electors to vote for Trump. Giuliani's attorney argues that his client was exercising free speech and petitioning the government, not committing a crime.
Another defendant, James Lamon, signed a statement claiming Trump's victory in Arizona as a contingency in case of a lawsuit overturning the election results. Prosecutors argue that the defendants' actions were part of a plan to disrupt the election outcome.
Former Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis reached a cooperation agreement with prosecutors, leading to the dismissal of her charges. Republican activist Loraine Pellegrino pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and received probation.
The remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty, and their trial is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2026. Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows is seeking to move his case to federal court for dismissal.
