Startling turn of events, newly-released text messages and emails have uncovered a purported plot involving Kenneth Chesebro, a former attorney for ex-President Donald Trump, and others, aiming to sow confusion in the aftermath of the 2020 election. The 1,400 pages of communications, made public due to a lawsuit by Wisconsin voters against Chesebro, reveal a web of conspiracy and alleged election misconduct.
Chesebro, along with Jenna Ellis and Scott Hall, has already pleaded guilty to charges related to election misconduct in Georgia. The communications expose Chesebro’s role in drafting a legal memo suggesting the replacement of legitimate electors with “alternate” ones on January 6, should previous attempts to overturn Biden’s victory fail.
The text exchanges offer a glimpse into Chesebro’s promotion of conspiracy theories surrounding widespread fraud in the 2020 election. They also shed light on the lawyers’ belief in Trump having “two chances” to contest the election outcome after his defeat.
In an email disclosed by the New York Times, Chesebro proposed pursuing litigation to secure victory by January 6 and using delays to achieve success in the state legislature by December 8. The messages emphasized the need for secrecy surrounding these alleged schemes.
CNN’s analysis of the released documents unveils new details about Chesebro’s actions during and after the Capitol insurrection on January 6, including a selfie taken outside the Capitol with Alex Jones in the background. In various messages, Chesebro bragged about his proximity to tear gas deployed to repel rioters.
Despite repeated setbacks in court, Chesebro remained steadfast in his pursuit to return Trump to the White House. Messages after January 6 reveal his determination, stating, “The events of the last two days open up legal options in the states for winning rulings favorable to Trump.”
However, these revelations may pose a serious challenge for Chesebro’s credibility. Legal analyst Ryan Goodman points to potential perjury issues, as Chesebro testified that the fake electors’ plan depended on winning legal battles before Congress convened on January 6, 2021. Yet, an email from December 8, 2020, suggests otherwise.
Chesebro’s attorney has yet to respond to inquiries about these explosive revelations. Meanwhile, Troupis, another key figure involved, opted for a settlement with Wisconsin voters to avoid prolonged litigation. Troupis maintains that the settlement does not constitute an admission of fault on his part. The unfolding drama continues to raise questions about the lengths some were willing to go to challenge the 2020 election results.
