These seem to be coming at an increasing pace, while gaining momentum, and – most importantly, expanding the entire scope of the investigation into Trump and the underpinnings of January 6th.

One would’ve been justified in believing that an investigation limited to the phone calls made between the White House and the people organizing the buses, the Proud Boys’ texts and Facebook messages (all subpoenaed), asking FBI investigators to comment on what they can in terms of the scope of their inquiries into the White House if any, getting into the nuts and bolts of who was there, who knew what, who paid for what, and whether there was an organized plan (there was), an investigation such as that could be seen as satisfactory, with the focus needed. One could have said that an inquiry that covered the voting machines, Guiliani, and Georgia would distract more than inform. We need the machinery of the coup. 

But, so long as we eventually get to the who, what, where, of how people broke into the Capitol, this “plan,” is better. As of yet, Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger has not testified to the committee, but, of course – very few people have done so to this point. But the fact that there is talk and an assumption that this investigation is going broadly into “The Big Lie,” is hugely encouraging. The fact that Raffensperger said he would testify with a confident tone, is that much stronger. Examples set forth expectations for what’s to come. If Raffensberger has addressed it and is called early, more Republicans will feel obligated to come themselves. The nuts and bolts, Proud Boys, Stone, White House call logs, all will be needed, but the Big Lie Big Scope is the gold standard.

Most importantly, Raffensberger said, “I followed the law,” as part of his justification. Those very words, of course, set up the contrast, the White House calling him up and telling him to find 11,000 votes. We have tried to find a way to make that particular phone call a crime in and of itself. Some very respectable attorneys think it is. We don’t see it, election law crimes are actually quite narrow. Instead, the call becomes “part” of the crime, each bit of evidence is a brick in a crime wall. It should be said that there is no question whatsoever that Lindsey Graham could be arrested, tonight, on both federal and state charges. Lindsey flat told Raffensperger, on tape, to lose ballots, to steal it. The fact that Lindsey hasn’t gotten more attention is actually hugely discouraging. Lindsey is part of the Big Lie and committed a serious and obvious felony.

Regardless, Raffensberger’s forthrightness and the unapologetic answer is important. Everyone knows that Trump was obsessed with Georgia, that he built the Big Lie around Georgia, and put the most pressure on Raffensberger. We are confident that the committee’s counsel will be aware of the answer.

Raffensperger says he would speak to the January 6th committee if requested pic.twitter.com/4f3TvP4XJK

— Acyn (@Acyn) August 12, 2021

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