Trump allies considered enlisting armed contractors and US Marshals to seize 2020 voting machines, report says

The Los Angeles Times reported that Donald Trump's allies considered using private contractors to seize voting machines and election data after the 2020 election.

The report focuses on a previously undisclosed "authorizing letter" and accompanying emails that were sent from those on the fringes of Trump's political circle.

According to the LA Times, the letter appears to be an early version of a draft executive order that was presented to President Trump. The LA Times said the executive order is believed to be in the possession of the House committee.

According to a review of the letter by the LA Times, the proposed executive order would have allowed third-party companies to seize all election machines and data at will.

The paper said it would have given these companies and their subcontractors the power to research, obtain, and store offsite all data and code regarding US election fraud, election manipulation, voter fraud, election interference, voter eligibility, and election systems wherever it resides.

According to the LA Times, the order would mean that the US marshals service could help with the analysis of election data. The letter said that armed private contractors would likely be used to conduct the investigations. They would be given the authority to be armed.

The LA Times reported that the letter was sent via email by Andrew Whitney, who became a Trump ally after he sought his support for the COVID-19 cure.

The paper said it was sent to the CEO of Cyber Ninjas.

The LA Times reported that Penrose worked with people who wanted to overturn the election.

The election audit in Arizona was done by Cyber Ninjas.

Lin Wood received a separate message two hours later. The paper said the subject line was suggested for a cover letter.

Wood told the LA Times that he didn't do anything with it. I didn't review or revise any memo regarding the executive order for Donald Trump. I am sure of that.

Several people told the LA Times that the idea of using executive orders to get access to election machine data was discussed after the election.