In 2020, a recently uncovered audio recording suggests that former President Donald Trump exerted pressure on two Republican canvassers in Wayne County, Michigan, urging them not to certify the 2020 election results.
The Detroit News revealed quotes from the recording, indicating that Trump, along with Republican National Committee (RNC) chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, assured the canvassers, Monica Palmer and William Hartmann, of legal support if they refused to certify the election
During a phone call dated November 17, 2020, Trump allegedly conveyed a sense of urgency, stating, “We’ve got to fight for our country. We can’t let these people take our country away from us.” McDaniel reportedly added, “If you can go home tonight, do not sign it… We will get you attorneys.”
Assuring the canvassers, Trump reportedly said, “We’ll take care of that.”
Following the conversation, Palmer and Hartmann left the canvassers meeting without signing the official statement of votes for Wayne County. The next day, they attempted to retract their votes in favor of certification, submitting legal affidavits claiming they were under pressure.
The potential success of Palmer, Hartmann, and Trump’s efforts had the potential to cast doubt on the statewide certification of Michigan’s 2020 election results. The audio recording, which is reported to be a segment of a longer 11-minute call, leaves unknown the contents of the entire conversation, but its revelation adds to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the events leading up to and following the 2020 election.
