January 1, Trump urged DOJ to declare election corrupt ‘and leave the rest to me’

Happy Monday Americans,

Former President Donald Trump pressured Department of Justice officials to declare the 2020 presidential election results corrupt, according to documents released by the House Oversight and Reform Committee. According to The Hill, the released records are notes from former acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen’s deputy, Richard Donoghue, allegedly written during a call between Trump, Rosen, and Donoghue on Dec. 27. “Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me,” Trump allegedly said. “We are not in a position based on the evidence. We can only act on the actual evidence developed,” Rosen and Donoghue said during the call, according to the notes.

The first flight evacuating Afghans who worked alongside Americans in Afghanistan brought 221 people to new lives in the US. The series of evacuation flights will bring former interpreters, translators, and others who fear retaliation from the Taliban for having aided American troops. The maiden flight included 57 children and 15 infants, all family members of those who had assisted Americans. President Biden said the occasion marked “an important milestone as we continue to fulfill our promise to the thousands of Afghan nationals who served shoulder-to-shoulder with American troops and diplomats over the last 20 years in Afghanistan.”

A recent poll shows that roughly 47 percent of Republicans believe that a time will come when “patriotic Americans have to take the law into their own hands.” The George Washington University poll surveyed over 1,700 voters and highlighted several disparities between the GOP and Democrats. About 55 percent of GOP participants said they support the potential use of force to preserve “the traditional American way of life.” The GW poll found that support for principles like free and fair elections, free speech and peaceful protest were nearly unanimous among all voters.

The firm leading the charge behind the audit of Arizona election results has received $5.7 million in donations from Trump supporters. Cyber Ninjas, a Florida-based company with no prior experience in election audits, was hired by Arizona’s Republican-led Senate to review the 2020 election in Phoenix’s Maricopa county. The company released information on their donors after a stern request from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Records show that the firm received sizable donations from noted Trump supporters like Patrick Byrne, the CEO of Overstock; a non-profit organization, America’s Future, chaired by Michael Flynn; and Voices and Votes, tied to the right-wing One America News Network.

In Utah, a sandstorm caused a massive 22-vehicle pileup on a highway that left eight people dead, including four children. “We have vehicles all over. Several vehicles tried to swerve off the roadway. We have vehicles that are flipped up on their sides,” Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Rhoden said. “One of the vehicles that was pulling a trailer, the trailer has pretty much completely been destroyed and is on the freeway.” The Utah Highway Patrol says that at least ten people went to hospitals, three of whom were in critical condition.

How much is a shot worth? Auburn University is offering students a chance to win prizes if they get their Covid-19 vaccines ahead of the fall semester. The incentives include a $1,000 scholarship, an unlimited meal plan, and a premium parking pass. The school’s student organizations are also eligible for prizes if all of their members are fully vaccinated, such as custom Under Armour apparel, Yeti cups and coolers, catered food trucks, and free spray tans. The new initiative comes as Alabama struggles with inoculating its age 12 and older population, with only 40.1% fully vaccinated.

Be well,

Fraser Dixon

Sources

• Trump urged DOJ officials to call election corrupt ‘and leave the rest to me’
• First evacuation flight brings 221 Afghans, many kids, to US
• 47 percent of Republicans say time will come ‘to take the law into their own hands’: poll
• Firm leading Arizona audit received millions from Trump supporters
• At least 8 killed in 22-car pileup in Utah during sandstorm
• Auburn University offers scholarships, other incentives to promote COVID vaccine