Michigan Judge Dismisses Charges Against 15 Alleged Fake Electors

A Michigan judge dismissed criminal charges against 15 Republicans accused of falsely certifying President Donald Trump as the winner of Michigan's 2020 presidential election, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove intent to commit fraud. The defendants, including prominent GOP figures, had signed a document claiming Trump won the state despite Joe Biden's confirmed victory. Judge Kristen Simmons highlighted testimony that the electors believed they were acting legitimately, submitting the false certificate only if Trump was declared the legal winner. This ruling marks a significant setback for election denialism accountability and mirrors challenges in similar cases in other states like Nevada. The judge characterized the electors as acting under the direction of senior leaders, who continue to face charges elsewhere. The existence of false electors played a pivotal role in the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack, as Trump urged Vice President Pence to use the competing slates to block Biden's certification, a move Pence rejected as illegal and unconstitutional.