Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes Announces Indictment of 18 Individuals Linked to Trump’s Effort to Overturn 2020 Election

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Wednesday that a state grand jury returned an indictment against 18 individuals associated with former US President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn Arizona’s election results in the 2020 presidential election. The indicted individuals face charges of fraud, forgery, and conspiracy, with the indictment alleging a collective effort to prevent the lawful transfer of the presidency to keep Trump in office against the will of Arizona’s voters.

The 11 named individuals in the indictment include prominent figures such as Kelli Ward, Rudy Giuliani, and Mark Meadows, among others. The indictment accuses them of engaging in a scheme to elect a false slate of presidential electors to represent Trump, despite him losing the state’s popular vote. This was part of a larger plan to have Vice President Mike Pence reject the certification of President Joe Biden’s electoral victory on January 6, 2021.

The charges against the individuals include conspiracy, fraudulent schemes, and forgery, all felony offenses in Arizona. The indictment details the actions taken by the indicted individuals in the months leading up to and following the 2020 election, including legal challenges and a pressure campaign that ultimately failed to overturn the election results.

Attorney General Mayes emphasized the importance of upholding American democracy, stating, “I will not allow American democracy to be undermined. It is too important.” The investigation into efforts to undermine Arizona’s 2020 election process is ongoing.

This indictment marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, highlighting the legal consequences faced by individuals involved in such schemes. The case is expected to draw national attention as it progresses through the legal system.