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Democracy on Trial (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE PBS | Official・102 minutes read

President Trump faced indictments for conspiracy and obstruction due to his efforts to overturn the election, with the select committee gathering evidence against him and his associates. Despite knowing he lost the election, Trump publicly claimed victory, pressured officials, incited a violent mob, and delayed taking action during the Capitol attack, leading to his indictment for criminal behavior.

Insights

President Trump's intent to unlawfully remain in power at all costs, despite acknowledging his loss privately, led to criminal charges of conspiracy and obstruction, highlighting a deliberate and strategic plan rather than impulsive decisions.
The January 6 committee's thorough investigation, led by individuals like Liz Cheney and Benny Thompson, uncovered substantial evidence of Trump's actions, including pressuring officials, summoning a violent mob, and orchestrating a well-established plan to challenge election results, underscoring the gravity of the indictment.
Trump's deliberate inaction during the Capitol attack, despite being aware of potential violence and urged by advisors to intervene, serves as critical evidence of his planned intent to disrupt the election certification process, ultimately leading to criminal conspiracies to obstruct the certification of results.

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Recent questions

What led to Donald Trump's indictment?
Trump's belief in a stolen election.
Who led the January 6th committee?
Benny Thompson.
What false claims did Giuliani make?
False allegations of voter fraud.
How did Trump pressure officials?
To change election results.
What was Trump's response during the Capitol attack?
Deliberate inaction.

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Summary

00:00

Trump Indicted for Election Conspiracy and Obstruction

President's intent was to stay in power at all costs, believing the election was stolen.
Select committee laid the path for the Department of Justice to charge Donald Trump with conspiracy and obstruction.
Federal grand jury indicted former President Trump on three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction.
Trump claimed victory in the election, alleging it was stolen, leading to his indictment.
Special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump with conspiring to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding.
Department of Justice remained committed to holding those responsible for the Capitol attack accountable.
Former President Trump faced criminal charges, with a trial becoming a pivotal moment in American democracy.
House Republicans, led by Senator Mitch McConnell, opposed forming a bipartisan commission to investigate the Capitol attack.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi established a select committee on the January 6th insurrection, with only two Republicans supporting it.
Select committee, led by Benny Thompson, gathered substantial evidence and issued subpoenas, preparing for a battle with Trump's associates.

20:41

"Cheney leads committee against Trump's election challenge"

Liz Cheney leads the January 6th committee to present a case against Donald Trump over months.
Trump coordinated a plan to overturn the election and prevent the transfer of power.
Evidence shows Trump pressured officials to change election results despite knowing he lost.
Trump's actions were part of a strategic plan, not impulsive decisions.
Trump's efforts to pressure Pence likely violated Federal Criminal statutes.
Trump summoned a violent mob to march on the Capitol, leading to chaos.
The January 6 committee's hearings gained public attention and detailed Trump's actions.
Trump's claims of fraud were part of a well-established plan to challenge the election results.
Trump's intent to remain in power unlawfully is highlighted by his statements and actions.
Despite privately acknowledging his loss, Trump publicly claimed victory and challenged the election results.

38:28

Trump's Election Conspiracy: Lies and Fraud

November 14th, 2020 marked the beginning of Trump's conspiracy to overturn the election.
Trump deferred to Rudy Giuliani for guidance, believing he provided a viable path forward.
Giuliani was central to orchestrating schemes involving false allegations and voter fraud claims.
Trump repeatedly endorsed baseless claims of dead people voting and ballot fraud.
The committee established a timeline showing Trump's intent to lie and defraud.
False allegations of votes being counted multiple times were debunked in Georgia.
Trump's reliance on lies to carry out his criminal conspiracy is a key allegation.
Gabriel Sterling warned Trump of potential violence in Georgia due to election disputes.
Trump pressured State officials like Rusty Bowers in Arizona to overturn election results.
Giuliani and Trump sought to convince officials to replace legitimate electors with unlawful votes.

56:57

"Arizona fraud theories debunked; Georgia accusations false"

Giuliani admitted to lacking evidence of election fraud in Arizona, despite having theories.
Rusty Bowers, a key witness, chose loyalty to the Constitution over Trump's re-election.
Trump's legal team argued for immunity from prosecution based on official duties.
A federal judge rejected Trump's immunity claims, emphasizing accountability for presidents.
Giuliani's conspiracy theories in Georgia involved false claims about ballot fraud.
Security footage debunked claims of hidden suitcases of ballots in Georgia.
Giuliani falsely accused election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shay Freeman Moss, of fraud.
Freeman and Moss faced severe threats and racism due to baseless accusations.
The human toll of false accusations was highlighted through Freeman's business and safety concerns.
Trump, Giuliani, and others face charges in Georgia for election interference attempts.

01:15:49

"Trump's Legal Woes and Political Turmoil"

Jenna Ellis pled guilty to criminal charges, highlighting an unconventional lawyer-client relationship.
Rudy Giuliani was ordered by a federal court to pay $146 million for defaming Freeman and Moss, leading to potential financial losses.
Giuliani, once a respected New York mayor and Trump's attorney, filed for bankruptcy, marking a significant downfall.
Brad Raffensberger, Georgia's Secretary of State, faced pressure from President Trump regarding election numbers.
Raffensberger, an engineer, focused on improving election processes with new equipment and verifiable paper ballots.
A recorded phone call revealed Trump pressuring Raffensberger to find votes, emphasizing the importance of standing firm on principles.
Trump's desperate attempts to overturn the election led to a controversial meeting with advisors advocating extreme measures like martial law.
White House lawyers challenged the lack of evidence for election fraud, leading to heated exchanges with advisors like Michael Flynn and Sidney Powell.
Trump, facing opposition from advisors and potential resignations, refrained from declaring martial law but called for a wild protest on January 6th.
Trump's inflammatory tweet urging supporters to march on Washington on January 6th is seen as a pivotal moment in his alleged criminal conspiracy.

01:34:01

Trump's Election Fraud Scheme Unraveled

Prosecuting electoral fraud is not new and involves legal tests, burdens of proof, and jury instructions.
Trump refocused efforts on the Department of Justice as January 6th approached.
Bill Barr refused to weaponize the DOJ against democracy, leading to his resignation.
Jeff Rosen and Richard Donahue, Trump appointees, faced pressure from Trump to question election integrity.
Trump sought to replace Rosen with Jeff Clark, an environmental prosecutor, to push election fraud claims.
Clark drafted a letter on election fraud despite lack of evidence, aiming to replace Rosen.
Rosen and Donahue warned Trump of mass resignations if Clark was appointed, halting the plan.
Trump pressured Pence to overturn election results, based on a flawed legal theory by John Eastman.
Pence, loyal to Trump, stood firm against the pressure, choosing to uphold the Constitution.
Trump's interactions with Pence, driven by false claims and pressure, are central to the indictment of Trump and his co-conspirators.

01:52:58

Trump's Role in January 6 Insurrection

Donald Trump tried to pressure Pence to not certify election results, which may not necessarily be criminal depending on context.
The January 6 committee presented new evidence and testimony, including from White House staffer Cassidy Hutchinson.
Hutchinson, a former Trump loyalist, testified truthfully about Trump's plans for January 6, revealing details about his intentions.
Trump was aware of potential violence on January 6 but disregarded concerns about weapons in the crowd.
Trump repeatedly urged the crowd to "fight like hell" and focused on pressuring Pence to overturn the election results.
Prosecutors linked Trump's speech on January 6 to criminal conspiracies to obstruct the certification of election results.
Trump's actions during the 187 minutes between leaving the Ellipse and telling the mob to go home showed a deliberate choice not to act.
Trump's response to reports of violence on January 6 was to watch TV and tweet about his speech, while his advisors urged him to take action.
White House advisors and lawyers tried to get Trump to make a public statement to stop the attack, but he refused, indicating his intent to delay the election certification.
The committee viewed Trump's inaction during the attack as evidence of his planned intent to disrupt the certification process.

02:11:04

President delays action as Capitol chaos ensues.

President's daughter urges him to stop violence, but he delays for 4 hours, indicating intent.
Protesters breach Capitol building, raising concerns about Vice President Pence's safety.
President's tweet criticizing Pence incites rioters to chant "hang Mike Pence" and build gallows.
Pence stays to provide direction as President fails to act, eventually police regain control.
President finally addresses rioters after 187 minutes, claiming election was stolen but urging peace.

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