The swing state of Michigan—and its 16 electoral votes—has been a major target of President Donald Trump's efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election, which saw President-elect Joe Biden defeat him with 306 electoral votes.
With Trump losing nearly 60 frivolous lawsuits and firing off countless lie-ridden tweets about widespread voter fraud coordinated by Democrats tipping the election to Biden, electors across the country met as scheduled on December 14 to cast their state's electoral votes for President—including Michigan.
Michigan's electors cast the state's 16 electoral votes for Biden, as expected, but Republicans still denying the reality of Biden's victory still attempted to oppose the constitutionally enshrined process.
Michigan state representative Gary Eisen warned in a Monday morning radio interview that GOP electors would be planning a "Hail Mary" attempt to overthrow the will of Michigan voters. Eisen was stripped of his committee assignments when he wouldn't rule out the possibility of violence during the demonstration.
But what actually transpired was rather anticlimactic.
Michigan's Republican electors attempted to infiltrate the Capitol and submit so-called electoral votes for Trump—but they didn't get far.
Watch below.
“The Electors are already here, they've been checked in." Michigan State Police are blocking access to the Capitol, preventing the GOP Electors from getting inside #Michigan #ElectoralCollege #ElectoralCollegeVote pic.twitter.com/GzTK5gGCJ1
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) December 14, 2020
“If you have a problem, you can contact the Governor's office." State Police block access to the Capitol for the Trump electors, giving no reason for why the building is locked down & redirecting inquiries to Governor Whitmer's office #Michigan #ElectoralCollege #Lansing pic.twitter.com/wqdPfpMC7H
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) December 14, 2020
Because of threats of violence in reaction to the election results, Michigan legislative buildings are closed to the public for the third time this year.
As the so-called electors attempted to infiltrate the building, state police denied their requests. Attorney Ian Northon falsely claimed that Republican electors were being barred from doing their Constitutional duty, despite Michigan certifying the results of Biden's victory last month and appointing Democratic electors in reflection of that.
The GOP electors do not have a "constitutional duty" to submit votes for Trump because Trump lost.
People mocked the delusional attempt at overturning Michigan's election's results.
There are no "Trump electors," @BGOnTheScene. They are not a thing. They do not exist. The election is over. It's been certified. The people who *would have been* Trump electors are not electors at all. These are just people. https://t.co/yBbQphEbsv
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) December 14, 2020
Looks like the coup failed again. https://t.co/82lTUOrKyX
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) December 14, 2020
asking to speak to the Electoral College's manager https://t.co/3uw23bbFxQ
— Sam Adams (@SamuelAAdams) December 14, 2020
asking to speak to the Electoral College's manager https://t.co/3uw23bbFxQ
— Sam Adams (@SamuelAAdams) December 14, 2020
Over/under on how long it takes the #BackTheBlue crowd starts calling these cops traitors for not letting @realDonaldTrump teabag democracy 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/5la7ZZetT9
— Kyle R. Riordan (@Staring_Wolf) December 14, 2020
GOP fake electors hard at work handing out manila envelope - "go see the governor" 🤣🤣🤣 @GovWhitmer #ElectoralCollege #ElectoralCollegeVote https://t.co/mzWx2bcCZ0
— bethanne (@mctabbykat) December 14, 2020
But the disinformation traveled fast, and soon, Trump's supporters were under the collective delusion that the non-electors were being denied some sort of constitutional right that allows them to submit electoral votes for the loser of the election.
This is an outrage.
We have a constitutional right to challenge the state electors.
This is treason!
— Junson Chan 🇺🇸 (@realjunsonchan) December 14, 2020
Time for @realDonaldTrump to federalize the MI National Guard to brush aside these plastic policemen.
— SamPoulston🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@PoulstonSam) December 14, 2020
INSURRECTION ACT - NOW !!!
— Dan Hickey (@Navy_Whale) December 14, 2020
As Trump reaps rewards from "Stop the Steal" donations, Republicans seem convinced that having would-be Republican electors cast votes for the loser somehow amounts to an official act.
This seems to be the latest quixotic line of attack to secure another four years of Trump.
BREAKING!!!
Dueling Electors sent in PA, GA and now NV! Assuming Pence chooses these Electors over the Fraud electors, Trump has just officially won. pic.twitter.com/9VpYR2LKls
— President-Elect CivilDrivel (@DrivelCivil) December 14, 2020
