Key Takeaways:
– Allies of former President Donald Trump are striving to overturn the popular votes in key states where Republicans have majority control.
– Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Raiklin is one of the individuals advocating for this course of action.
– The strategy centers around a fresh legal framework known as the independent state legislature theory.
– Such a move on behalf of Republican-controlled legislatures would be a historical first, as the last occurrence of this nature was back in 1876.
– Critics argue that this strategy is fundamentally an attack on American democracy and a means of staging a ‘legal’ coup.
Pro-Trump Allies Stir Controversy with Electoral Votes Scheme
When it comes to politics, controversy never sleeps. The latest stir is causing waves in the political landscape. It seems that allies of former president Donald Trump are engaged in a new mission. They are trying to convince state legislatures in fiercely contested presidential battleground states like North Carolina to reverse the popular vote and hand over the 16 electoral votes of the state directly to Trump himself.
Ivan Raiklin, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, is at the forefront of this operation. Known for his past efforts to sway ex-Vice President Mike Pence to disrupt the 2020 election outcome, Raiklin has once again stepped up to endorse this unconventional plan. The scene for this revelation was the final stop of the ReAwaken America Tour. This event amalgamates evangelical Christianity with conspiracy theories, and a fierce loyalty to Trump.
The Anti-Democratic Proposal and Its Basis
This direct attack on democratic values relies on a novel legal idea called the independent state legislature theory. This theory proposes that state legislatures can overrule the popular vote and personally award electoral votes. This approach was an important part of attempts to overturn the last election. Trump’s allies in Congress tried to halt the certification of the election on January 6th, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.
Should the Republican-controlled legislatures choose to bypass the popular vote and personally appoint electors, it would echo the actions that unfolded back in 1876. This occasion marked the first and the last time such a stratagem was employed in the US. Moreover, given the substantial majority held by Republicans in the North Carolina legislature, Raiklin is optimistic that the electors would favor Trump.
Illegal Strategy Sparks Criticism
Nevertheless, the strategy Raiklin and others are advocating is contrary to the law, according to Patrick Gannon, a spokesperson for the North Carolina State Board of Elections. State and federal laws require the board of elections to certify the vote tallies in any election. They are obliged to count and report the votes, and the governor assigns the presidential electors based on the certified results of the given election.
Furthermore, Michael Luttig, a former U.S. circuit court judge, emphasized the dangerous nature of the independent legislature theory. He warned that this tactic goes against the will of the American people and is a clear defiance of the popular vote.
Accusations of Advocating Political Violence
Accusations exist that suggest Raiklin’s speeches have subtly hinted at promoting political violence. Critics claim he has called for directed attacks against Trump’s political opponents and encouraged Trump supporters to retaliate explicitly. Raiklin, justifying his statements, has maintained that his rhetoric always remains within the boundaries of legality, ethics, and morality.
The Helene Effect and Its Implications
Raiklin has also associated the disruption caused by Hurricane Helene as a reason to dismiss voter votes. Its damaging effects on certain counties have caused significant drops in early voting, and this can prove crucial in determining which candidate carries the state.
A Conflicting Perspective from Trump
Interestingly, these concerns haven’t seemed to register with Trump, who displayed confidence in his supporter base’s continuous voting despite the storm. This confidence starkly contrasts the assertions of Raiklin and other radical supporters, who believe the storm has irrevocably damaged the election process.
A Glimpse into Other States
The call to bypass popular vote isn’t confined to North Carolina alone. Similar pressures are surfacing in other states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona. Both Raiklin and National File publisher Noel Fritsch have been spreading the idea of Republican legislatures directly awarding electoral votes to Trump in these states as well.
With these controversial developments unfolding, the political landscape in America continues to stir intrigue, confusion, and conflict. The actions of Trump’s allies, regardless of their legal and ethical implications, stand to further challenge the established norms of the country’s electoral process.