Previously Secret Memo Laid Out Strategy for Trump to Overturn Biden’s Win

A previously undisclosed internal campaign memo outlined a strategy for President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election results, according to recent reports. The memo was revealed in an indictment related to the January 6th Capitol riot, although its existence was not previously known. The memo, dated December 6, 2020, was created by a lawyer named Kenneth Chesebro, who proposed a plan involving false slates of electors to challenge the election outcome.

Chesebro acknowledged that his plan was a bold and controversial strategy that the Supreme Court was likely to reject. However, he believed that even if the plan didn't succeed in the long run, it would serve two purposes: drawing attention to claims of voter fraud and buying more time for litigation that could potentially favor Trump.

The document details how Chesebro's proposed strategy would involve pro-Trump electors meeting in states where Biden had been declared the winner. He suggested presenting this as a routine measure to ensure correct electoral counts in case courts or legislatures determined Trump had won those states.

The Dec. 6 memo reveals how the plan originated and was discussed behind the scenes. Chesebro's strategy involved Vice President Mike Pence counting false electors' votes, thereby creating a potential dispute over the valid electoral slate.

Although Chesebro's proposal faced challenges and uncertainties, it underscores a broader effort within Trump's camp to overturn the election results through various means. The plan involved multiple states, electors, and legal challenges.

Prosecutors are continuing to gather evidence related to their investigation. Chesebro's memo and its associated strategy played a central role in the indictment against Trump. The memo outlines Chesebro's belief that the vote count could be manipulated to keep Trump ahead in the electoral count until certain legal challenges were resolved.

Chesebro's memo also referenced legal arguments made by Laurence H. Tribe, a Harvard Law School professor. Tribe has since stated that Chesebro's interpretation of his scholarship was incorrect.

The indictment accuses Trump and others of recruiting fraudulent electors deceptively and suggests they misled some electors about the use of their votes. Chesebro's memo aligns with this approach, proposing to present the Trump electors' meeting as a precaution in case courts or legislatures later determined Trump had won.

Chesebro's memo provides insights into the strategy used by Trump's allies to contest the election outcome, adding a new layer of understanding to the events surrounding the January 6th Capitol riot.