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Former Trump Campaign Officials Face Hearing on Fake Elector Charges in Wisconsin
Three former Trump campaign officials appeared Monday for a preliminary hearing in Wisconsin, where they face felony forgery charges connected to a scheme involving fake presidential electors following the 2020 election.
The Wisconsin case against Jim Troupis, Kenneth Chesebro, and Mike Roman continues to advance while similar prosecutions in other battleground states have encountered obstacles. The charges, filed a year ago, have been delayed as the defendants unsuccessfully sought dismissal.
Each defendant faces 11 felony counts related to their alleged roles in the fake elector scheme. Troupis served as a Trump attorney, Chesebro advised the campaign on legal matters, and Roman was Trump’s director of Election Day operations in 2020.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, led by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, alleges the three defrauded 10 Republican electors who signed certificates falsely declaring Trump the winner in Wisconsin. According to prosecutors, the defendants misled these Republicans about how their signatures would be used in an effort to submit false documentation to then-Vice President Mike Pence.
The complaint states that most of the Republican electors told investigators they believed they were only preserving Trump’s legal options in case a court overturned the election results. These electors reportedly did not consent to having their signatures presented to Congress as if Trump had won Wisconsin without such a court ruling.
Just a week before Monday’s hearing, Troupis attempted to have Dane County Circuit Judge John Hyland removed from the case and the proceedings moved to a different county. Troupis, who briefly served as a judge in the same county, claimed all local judges were biased against him and alleged that Judge Hyland’s August order refusing to dismiss the case was actually written by the father of the judge’s law clerk.
Judge Hyland firmly rejected these claims, stating he and a staff attorney were the sole authors of the order. The judge also found no evidence supporting Troupis’s allegations of bias and declined to recuse himself or postpone the hearing. Following these accusations, Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson requested a Department of Justice investigation into the matter.
Federal prosecutors who investigated events surrounding the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot have noted that the fake electors scheme originated in Wisconsin. Although Trump lost Wisconsin in 2020, he won the state in both 2016 and 2024, and fought extensively to have his 2020 defeat overturned.
The Wisconsin case represents a rare instance where such prosecutions are moving forward. A special prosecutor last year dropped a federal case alleging Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election, while similar cases in Michigan and Georgia have stalled. A related case in Nevada remains active.
The defendants have consistently maintained that no crime occurred, but Judge Hyland rejected their arguments in his August ruling that allowed the case to proceed to Monday’s preliminary hearing. At this hearing, the judge will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to continue with the charges.
While the three Trump associates face serious legal jeopardy, none of the 10 Republican electors who signed the false certificates have been criminally charged in Wisconsin. The electors, along with Chesebro and Troupis, previously settled a civil lawsuit seeking damages related to their actions.
The preliminary hearing represents a significant step in one of the remaining legal cases addressing alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, with potentially serious consequences for the former Trump campaign officials if the prosecution advances to trial.
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9 Comments
This is a complex and highly charged issue. I’ll be closely following the developments in Wisconsin to see what new evidence and arguments emerge from both sides.
Reasonable people can disagree on the details, but upholding the rule of law and protecting the sanctity of elections should be the top priority.
The ongoing legal saga around the 2020 election continues to generate controversy. It will be interesting to see how this case in Wisconsin unfolds and what new details emerge about the alleged fake elector scheme.
These charges raise serious concerns about potential attempts to undermine the democratic process. A thorough investigation is warranted to determine the facts and ensure accountability.
While election integrity is crucial, I hope this case is handled objectively and without political bias. The public deserves a transparent process and confidence in the electoral system.
Agreed. Allegations of fraud should be taken seriously and investigated, but the focus should be on facts, not partisan narratives. A fair and impartial judicial process is key.
This case highlights the ongoing tensions and divisions around the 2020 election. I’ll be curious to see how the legal proceedings unfold and what impact they may have going forward.
The details around the fake elector scheme are concerning. I hope the investigation uncovers the full extent of any wrongdoing and holds all responsible parties accountable.
Regardless of political affiliations, we should all want a fair and secure electoral process. Transparency and due process are essential in a healthy democracy.