We knew from the beginning that Donald Trump, the former president, had pressured Justice Department officials into following his lead and claiming fraud in the election, despite the absence of evidence. New documents now suggest that the pressure was even greater than originally thought. Trump was given a simple answer during a December telephone call with Jeffrey Rosen, acting attorney general, and Richard Donoghue acting deputy attorney general. Trump stated on the call that the election had been corrupted and left the rest to me, the R. Congressmen, according to Donoghues notes.AdvertisementTrump stated in another portion of the call, "We have an obligation to inform people that this election was illegal, corrupt and fraudulent." He was met with resistance. Donoghue stated that a lot of the information you are receiving is false. Trump continued to insist. Trump stated at one point that you guys might not be following the internet as closely as I do.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe House Oversight Committee has received the notes. It is currently investigating Trump's attempts to overturn the election. The Dec. 27 call notes do not identify the lawmakers Trump intended to help, but he did mention Sen. Ron Johnson and Scott Perry in other points. According to the New York Times, the call was perhaps the most daring moment of a long-running pressure campaign to enlist the Justice Department in his campaign to reverse the election results.AdvertisementDemocrats claimed that Trump used the notes to try to get the White House's top law enforcement agency to illegally become involved in the political dogfight. This would support his claim that the election was fraudulent despite not having any evidence. These notes, which were handwritten by Trump, show that he instructed the nation's top law enforcement agency to make steps to end a free and fair election. Carolyn Maloney, House Oversight Chairwoman, said in a statement. Trump issued a statement Saturday slamming the Oversight committee for publishing the documents. He called it corrupt and highly political.AdvertisementThese notes are fascinating and demonstrate why an investigation into Jan. 6 Capitol riots is necessary, says Dan Balz of Washington Post. He explains:Advertisement
