The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Jan. 7th, 2026

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee released the transcript of former Special Prosecutor Jack Smith’s December 17th deposition defending his January 6th insurrection and Mar-a-Lago classified documents cases. The 255-page transcript released New Year’s eve shows Smith was convinced that President Donald Trump was responsible for the insurrection. 

During the bipartisan questioning, Smith was asked whether Donald Trump’s post-election claims that the election outcome was fraudulent were protected free speech.   

Smith replied: 

“There is no historical analog for what President Trump did in this case. As we said in the indictment, he was free to say that he thought he won the election. He was even free to say falsely that he won the election.  But what he was not free to do was violate Federal law and use knowing — knowingly false statements about election fraud to target a lawful government function. That he was not allowed to do. And that differentiates this case from any past history.” 

Smith later said, “… the evidence here made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy.  These crimes were committed for his benefit. The attack that happened at the Capitol, part of this case, does not happen without him.” 

We’ve linked to the full transcript and timelines of Jan. 6th and classified documents cases at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – Assault on America’s Democratic Process:  The January 6th, 2021 Insurrection by the Numbers
U.S. House Judiciary Committee via PBS – Transcript of Testimony by Former Special Prosecutor Jack Smith
Report of Special Prosecutor – Final Report of the Special Counsel Under 28 C.F.R. § 600.8 

Congressional Research Service – The Mar-a-Lago Search Warrant: A Legal Introduction
NPR – NPR’s Visual Archive of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot
American Oversight – A Timeline of the Government’s Response on Jan. 6, 2021
ABC News – Timeline: Special counsel’s probe into Trump’s efforts to overturn 2020 election
Associated Press – A timeline of events leading to Donald Trump’s indictment in the classified documents case

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, C.R.E.W., Protect Democracy

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #January6th  #StoptheSteal #TrumpCriminalTrials #DonaldTrump  #JackSmith

The post The Transcript of Former Jan. 6th Prosecutor Jack Smith’s Deposition to the House Judiciary Committee is Released.  It’s an Interesting Read. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Oct. 23, 2025

A lawyer who had multiple phone calls with President Donald Trump the day of the January 6th insurrection has been appointed by the President to investigate debunked allegations that widespread fraud changed the outcome of the 2020 election.  He has 130 days as a “special government employee” to complete his assignment.

The Wall Street Journal reported October 17th that Kurt Olsen, a product liability attorney turned Trump 2020 election lawyer, was appointed to look into President Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen.  According to the January 6th Select Committee report, it was Olsen who drafted a memo on January 2nd, entitled “The Role of the VicePresident in Receiving Votes from the Electoral College,” and he spoke with Trump three times on January 6th. 

The Detroit News reports that Olsen has recently been involved in defending another Trump election lawyer, Stephanie Lambert, from accusations she and others tampered with Michigan electronic vote tabulators.  He defended U.S. Senate and Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake in her baseless challenges to the 2022 election.  A judge sanctioned Olsen for QUOTE, “false, misleading, and unsupported factual assertions,” though his fines were later dismissed.   

Two good government groups, States United Democracy Center and Lawyers Defending American Democracy later, later filed ethics complaints in Maryland and Washington, DC for an alleged QUOTE “Pattern of unethical conduct.”  

We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol –
Final Report of the Select Committee 
Select Committee – Select Committee Demands Information from Witnesses Who Promoted Unsupported Claims of Election Fraud
CNN – New York Times: Conservative lawyer suggested to Trump he take steps akin to declaring ‘martial law’ to overturn election results
Kansas Reflector (Opinion) – Trump’s lawyers in suits claiming he won in 2020 are getting punished for abusing courts
Detroit News – (Paywall) – 2 Trump-tied lawyers step into 2020 Michigan election cases

Michigan Advance – Proceedings again postponed for Michigan attorney charged in tabulator tampering case
States United Democracy Center and Lawyers Defending American Democracy – Ethics Complaint Against Kurt Olsen

Groups Taking Action:

States United Democracy Center,  Lawyers Defending American Democracy

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #KurtOlsen #DonaldTrump #January6th #Insurrection #MikePence

The post Lawyer Advising Trump During January 6th Appointed to Rehash the President’s 2020 Election Fraud Claims  appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 11, 2025

Five years after the fake elector scheme to overturn the 2020 election, legal accountability is grinding along for some of the conspirators and those who wittingly or unwittingly supported them.  But pardons may be in the wind, too.

May 27th, a three-judge New York appellate court stripped Trump campaign attorney Kenneth Chesbro, an alleged key organizer of the swing state “fake elector” scheme, of his license to practice law in New York. He has already been disbarred in California, New Jersey, Florida and Massachusetts.  

June 16th, the alleged mastermind of the fake elector scheme, John Eastman, was recommended for disbarment in California.  He can still appeal the decision.

June 16th, a civil jury found MyPillow CEO and election denier Mike Lindell liable for $2.3 million dollars for defaming former Dominion Voting Systems executive, Eric Coomer.  Dominion itself has a claim pending against Lindell, right leaning news outlets, and several other Trump alleged conspirators and collaborators.

The Michigan Advance reported July 5th that a hearing on whether the trial of 15 of 16 Michigan fake electors should go forward has been moved to September 9th.  A trial in Arizona is scheduled for January 5th, 2026 for the alleged fake electors and Trump associates, including his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows.

Mother Jones reported June 4th that President Donald Trump’s pardon attorney was considering pardons for the accused fake electors.

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

 State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division – In the Matter of KENNETH JOHN
CHESEBRO, a Suspended MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Attorney.
State Bar Court of California (via Horvitz & Levy) – In the Matter of SBC-23-0-30029 – JOHN CHARLES EASTMAN, OPINION  State Bar No. 193726.
Colorado Public Radio – Jury finds MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell defamed former executive at Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems

Dominion Voting Systems – Legal Updates
Michigan Advance – Judge moves long-awaited decision in 2020 GOP false electors case to September hearing
Arizona Mirror – Arizona judge says he’ll consider fake electors’ free speech defense
Arizona Capitol Times – Trump’s former chief of staff claims immunity from fake electors charges
Mother Jones – Trump’s Pardon Attorney Mulls Clemency for Fake Electors—Dead or Alive

Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Law Center, States United Democracy Center, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) 

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #FakeElectors #TrumpCriminalTrials #MikeLindell

The post Updates on Accountability for 2020 Election Fake Electors and Conspiracy Theorists – Or Not appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 6th, 2025

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Today, we’re taking a look at the numbers associated with the January 6th, 2021 insurrection, one of the most serious assaults on the American democratic process in the country’s history.

After then-President Donald Trump spoke at the Ellipse to an event he and his campaign promoted, a mob the FBI estimates at over 2,000 attacked the U.S. Capitol. Over 140 U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers were injured. Officer Brian Sicknick died of a stroke, and four officers later died from physical or mental health causes.  Three insurrectionists died, including one who was shot by police.

The U.S. Capitol sustained $2.9 million dollars in damage.  As of November 2024 the U.S. Department of Justice had charged 590 with assaulting or resisting law enforcement, and 169 with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing injury to an officer.  Among the weapons were pepper spray, a sword, axes, knives, bats, hockey sticks, and flagpoles.  All defendants were charged with federal trespass or disorderly conduct.  

Of the more than 1,500 charged, DOJ reports 979 guilty pleas, and 250 found guilty at trial or pleading “no contest.” Prison time has ranged from a few days up to 22 years for the most serious charge, seditious conspiracy.

Trump has promised to pardon the QUOTE, “Patriots.” In a December 8th NBC News interview, he said he would act quickly after taking office.

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
NPR – Read Trump’s Jan. 6 Speech, A Key Part Of Impeachment Trial
U.S. District Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia – (2024) 46 Months Since the Jan. 6 Attack on U.S. Capitol

U.S. District Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia – (2024) Four Men Sentenced for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

CBS News – U.S. attorney explains Jan. 6 Capitol riot prosecutions
NPR – The Jan. 6 attack: The cases behind the biggest criminal investigation in U.S. history
Associated Press – Lawmakers brace for Trump’s promised Jan. 6 pardons. Some are urging restraint
FactlCheck.org – How Many Died as a Result of Capitol Riot?
The Guardian –  ‘We have our country back’: convicted January 6 rioters anticipate Trump pardons
Reuters – Trump vows to pardon Jan. 6 defendants on Day One

Brennan Center for Justice – (Analysis) – Trump Pardoning Jan. 6 Insurrectionists Would Endorse Attacks on Democracy
Congressional Research Bureau – Fischer v. United States: Supreme Court Reads Federal Obstruction Provision Narrowly in Capitol Breach Prosecution

Groups Taking Action:
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, C.R.E.W., Protect Democracy

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #TrumpCriminalTrials #January6th #StoptheSteal #CapitolInsurrection

The post Assault on America’s Democratic Process:  The January 6th, 2021 Insurrection by the Numbers appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 19, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

In official meeting rooms around the country, 538 electors for the 2024 Presidential election met December 17th to cast their vote on behalf of their state’s results.  Thirteen of those Electoral College electors are accused 2020 fake electors, some of whom still face prosecution. 

Trump campaign associates coordinated a plot in seven battleground states to submit a fraudulent slate of Republican electors.  The plot failed when Vice President Mike Pence refused to participate and certified the results. 

The alleged “fake electors” in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Mexico, Georgia and Arizona were subject to investigations by state officials, the January 6th Committee, and the Special Counsel.  Fake electors in Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona still face trial. Nevada prosecutors just refiled charges Dec.12th.  No charges were brought in New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 

Stunningly, 13 of those electors were renominated by their state Republican parties as electors in 2024.  Six of the 15 awaiting trial for forgery in Michigan were renominated. Six Nevada electors were re-indicted last week on forgery charges, two of whom were renominated, including Jesse Law and state GOP chair Michael McDonald.  

Still unclear is whether Trump will include the fake electors in his promised pardons for those accused and convicted for the January 6th insurrection.  

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – The cases against fake electors and where they stand
LawFare – Where the Fake Electors Cases Stand in State Court
Michigan Public – “Vindication” as Trump’s “fake electors” serve as real ’24 electors
NPR – ‘Fake electors’ from 2020 are casting 2024 votes for Trump while facing felony charges

ABC News – 13 accused of being ‘fake electors’ cast Electoral College votes for Trump
Wisconsin Politics – Trump vows to eliminate Education Department, pardon Jan. 6 convicts during Mosinee rally
CNN – Recordings, emails show how Trump team flew fake elector ballots to DC in final push to overturn 2020 election
WSAZ – January 6th defendants, “fake electors” hope President-elect Trump keeps his word on pardons

Groups Taking Action:
C.R.E.W.,  LawForward

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #January6th #FakeElectors

The post Among 2024 Electoral College Presidential Electors Were 13 Alleged 2020 Fake Electors, Some of Whom Await Trial on Fraud Charges appeared first on American Democracy Minute.