Regardless of political affiliation, I encourage everyone to read Jack Smith’s court filing regarding Donald Trump’s interference with the last presidential election.
As someone born in the United States, raised in public education and with service in the armed forces during Vietnam, I deeply respect the democratic process.
Trump began discrediting the last election four months before voting began, voicing suppositions to defend his staying in power if he lost. The filing details the many steps Trump took to spread deceit to the American people, including pressuring election officials and officeholders and reverting to malicious threats to them and their families.
You’ll read how Trump pressured Michigan’s Republican speaker of the house to overturn Michigan’s election results and the speaker’s response that to comply with Trump’s unsubstantiated claims would “bring mutually assured destruction for every future election …”.
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You’ll be reminded how Trump tried to strong-arm his own vice president and continued to perpetrate lies that incited the Capital mob chant, “Hang Mike Pence,” and how later Trump referred to Jan. 6 as “a beautiful day.”
After reading the filing, you might question how any elected official would continue to support this behavior and whether those who do can be trusted with our democracy.
We don’t need to challenge the validity of Jack Smith’s filing; most of what is described happened right before our eyes.
It is unfortunate, but this election is not about the issues. It is about protecting our democracy.
Read Jack Smith’s filing and then vote your conscience.
Duane Thomas, Lincoln