GOP Senator Sought “Ammo” In Push To Keep Trump In Power

Quick Summary:

• In 2022, both the Washington Post and the NY Times examined texts by former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) that were written in the aftermath of the 2020 election.
• The texts offer insights into GOP discussions about keeping Trump in power despite his 2020 election loss.
• Internally, these GOP lawmakers showed significant reservations about the evidence of alleged electoral fraud, contrary to their public support.
• Both Lee and Roy were instrumental in introducing controversial lawyers Sidney Powell and John Eastman to the White House.
• The texts disclose concerns about potential defamation liability following Powell and Giuliani’s news conference and reveal internal GOP disagreements.
• On Jan. 3, 2023, Roy proposed on the House floor that the same doubts cast on the presidential election should also be cast on Congressional elections.

Unraveling the Texts: Meadows, Lee, and Roy

The correspondence between Meadows, Lee, and Roy provides an unprecedented window into the GOP’s internal struggle after Trump’s 2020 election defeat. While the public facade remained united, these texts show a stark disconnect, revealing deep-seated skepticism about the validity of evidence presented to substantiate claims of electoral fraud.

Legal Concerns and Internal Disagreements

Following the press conference of lawyers Powell and Giuliani, Lee warned Meadows about the potential defamation liability the president could face. These unfounded claims led to palpable tension within the GOP. Both Lee and Roy felt their attempts to help and clarify the situation were met with public criticism from their colleagues and even the President.

Damning Quotes: Unveiling the True Sentiments

Certain quotes from these texts expose the lawmakers’ private doubts and concerns. Roy, for instance, texted Meadows, “We need ammo. We need fraud examples. We need it this weekend.” Clearly indicating the lack of substantial evidence to support Trump’s claims. Another damning quote by Lee was, “We are struggling to figure out how to respond to things like this.” These quotes undermine the lawmakers’ public statements and expose the depth of their internal concerns.

Lawmakers Involved: A Breach of Oath?

The revealed texts involve former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Tex.). Their discussions point to attempts to retain Trump’s power despite his 2020 election loss. Such attempts could be seen as undermining their oath to the U.S. Constitution, which requires them to uphold the democratic election process.

The Bargaining and the House Floor Point

In the end, neither Lee nor Roy publicly objected to the election results. Instead, they tried to negotiate a future political strategy, with a focus on a potential 2024 win for Trump. Roy underscored this stance on the House floor on Jan. 3, 2023, suggesting that the same doubts about the presidential election should apply to Congressional elections. However, his point found little support within his party.

Links for Further Reading:

• The Washington Post – Read more here
• The New York Times – Read more here