Donald Trump posted on Truth Social:
”As my Poll numbers go higher & higher, the Communists, Marxists, & Fascists get more & more CRAZY with their ridiculous Indictments & Election Interference plans & plots, all controlled by an out of control, & very corrupt, DOJ/FBI. They have WEAPONIZED Law Enforcement in America at a level not seen before. Deranged Jack Smith, who is a sick puppet for A.G. Garland & Crooked Joe Biden, should be DEFUNDED & put out to rest. Republicans must get tough or the Dems will steal another Election. MAGA!”
According to The Washington Post, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team has been questioning witnesses about a call in which former President Donald Trump allegedly pressured former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to overturn his 2020 election loss. Trump reportedly urged Ducey to find enough fraudulent votes to reverse his narrow defeat in Arizona, similar to his call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” votes to overturn his loss in that state. Sources also claim that Trump repeatedly asked Vice President Mike Pence to call Ducey and encourage him to find evidence supporting Trump’s unfounded claims of fraud. However, Pence has stated that there was no pressure involved and he does not recall any pressure from Trump.
Ducey reportedly discussed the “pressure” from Trump with a Republican donor, and this account has been confirmed by others familiar with the call. Ducey expressed surprise that Smith’s team had not yet inquired about his calls with Trump and Pence. It remains unclear if Smith’s team has contacted Ducey since the meeting with the donor.
The special counsel’s team has been inquiring about Trump’s calls to various governors, including Ducey, but the exact role of these calls in their investigation is unknown. They have also shown interest in Trump’s efforts to involve Pence in his endeavors. Trump’s spokesperson defended his actions, claiming that he was working to investigate fraud. However, Ducey and numerous other Republican officials, judges, and investigators have repeatedly refuted Trump’s claims of fraud.
Legal analysts suggest that the call fits into a pattern of Trump pressuring officials and the Justice Department. The January 6th committee has made criminal referrals regarding the pressure campaign on states, presenting overwhelming evidence, and it is speculated that the special counsel may charge the former president. Pence has already testified before a grand jury for over five hours in April, while former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has also reportedly testified before the grand jury.
