Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently commented on new revelations about the pressure exerted by former President Trump and his allies on local officials to block the certification of the 2020 election results. In a recorded call that was released, Trump is heard urging canvassers to overturn the election outcome in Wayne County, where Detroit is located, under the false claim of widespread corruption.
Secretary Benson expressed that the existence of the recording wasn't surprising, as they had suspected such pressure tactics were at play during the post-election process. The recording reinforces the evidence that the former president actively tried to influence local officials and obstruct the certification of a fair and legitimate election.
During the interview, Secretary Benson recollected the night of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers certification as one of the lowest points in the post-election process. The certification delay caused by Wayne County not certifying its results could have had significant implications for the entire state and potentially triggered similar delays in other battleground states. This could have opened doors for state legislatures to override election results and allocate electors to former President Trump, thereby undermining the democratic process.
Responding to the Trump campaign's statement, which claimed that his actions were in furtherance of his duty to ensure election integrity, Secretary Benson stressed that his duty as the outgoing president was to accept the election results, facilitate a smooth transition of power, and respect the will of the voters. She emphasized that instead of fulfilling this duty, he chose to abuse his position and interfere in the certification process.
Secretary Benson also mentioned her faith in Michigan's Attorney General, Dana Nessel, in holding accountable those who violated the law. She indicated that charges were recently filed against former state employees in a separate inquiry, suggesting that if the law was violated in this case, accountability would be pursued.
Further, Secretary Benson acknowledged the resilience of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, who ultimately certified the election results, despite attempts to bribe, cajole, and influence their decision. She commended the hundreds of citizens who showed up that night and demanded adherence to the law, ensuring that democracy prevailed.
These new revelations shed additional light on the extent to which former President Trump and his allies sought to overturn the election results. While Michigan remains vigilant in upholding democratic processes, the potential legal implications and further actions against those involved remain to be seen.
