Jan. 6 'alternate' Trump electors scheme ensnares GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, several fake electors
The Justice Department delivered subpoenas on Wednesday to several people involved in the scheme by former President Donald Trump and his allies to present a slate of "alternate" electors on Jan. 6, 2021, The Washington Post and The New York Times report. The subpoenas from a grand jury in Washington, D.C., widen the federal criminal investigation of the fake electors and the role they played in the effort to overturn President Biden's electoral victory.
Among those subpoenaed, the Times and the Post report, were two sham Trump electors from Georgia, state GOP officials Brad Carver and David Shafer, and Trump campaign official Thomas Lane, shown on video handing out paperwork to fake Trump electors in Arizona on Dec. 14, 2020.
The House Jan. 6 committee devoted part of Tuesday's public hearings to examining the fake electors and how Trump and his allies tried to use them to convince Vice President Mike Pence to thwart Biden's victory. Among the evidence presented was a text exchange between Sen. Ron Johnson's (R-Wis.) chief of staff, Sean Riley, and Pence aide Chris Hodgson during the Jan. 6 electoral count.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the exchange, Riley said "Johnson needs to hand" Pence "alternate slate of electors for MI and WI because archivist didn't receive them." Hodgson wrote back: "Do not give that to him." The National Archives received the Wisconsin fake elector certificates on Jan. 4, the Post reports.
Asked about his role, Johnson told reporters he was "aware that we got something delivered that wanted to be delivered to the vice president," but he "had no hand in it." He said "some staff intern" from the House brought the envelope to his office, but he didn't know the originating congressional office and has no interesting in looking into it, "because there's no conspiracy here."
Later, "Johnson held his phone to his ear and said he was on a call, but a reporter challenged the senator, saying that he could see the screen and knew Johnson wasn't talking to anyone," the Post reports.
Former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) had a good laugh at the fake phone call on MSNBC, and he called Johnson's explanation "ridiculous," because "no chief of staff goes to hand the vice president fake electors, a list of fake electors, without asking their boss."
Even if you find Johnson's response credible, it followed several steps he took before Jan. 6 to cast doubt on Biden's victory and urge a delay in certifying the electoral count.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
AI chatbots are leading some to psychosis
The explainer The technology may be fueling delusions
-
'Self-segregation by political affiliation is spreading'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
7 places across the country to experience the best of summer drinking
The Week Recommends Stops include a Basque-inspired spot and a bar where the menu overhauls twice a year
-
Judges order release of 2 high-profile migrants
Speed Read Kilmar Ábrego García is back in the US and Mahmoud Khalil is allowed to go home — for now
-
US assessing bomb damage to Iran nuclear sites
Speed Read Trump claims this weekend's US bombing obliterated Tehran's nuclear program, while JD Vance insists the US is 'not at war with Iran'
-
Is the US sliding into autocracy?
Talking Point Donald Trump's use of federal troops on home ground, dismissal of dissent and 'braggadocious' military posturing are all symptoms of a shifting political culture
-
Court allows National Guard in LA as Dodgers repel feds
Speed Read The team said they 'denied entry' to ICE agents seeking to enter their stadium
-
'Is it even possible to enjoy a trip without contributing to the problem?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump ramps up Iran threats, demands 'surrender'
Speed Read Trump met with his top aides in the Situation Room on Tuesday
-
Travel ban: It's back and it's bigger
Feature Trump revives a controversial travel ban, targeting mostly poor, nonwhite countries
-
'Big Oil does not accept responsibility'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day