Trump’s True Crimes – Episode 71: Pressure on the DOJ to Lie

After losing the 2020 election, Donald Trump launched an unprecedented campaign to weaponize the Department of Justice, demanding they publicly declare the election “corrupt” despite having no evidence of widespread fraud. Trump’s goal wasn’t just to cast doubt—it was to manufacture justification for overturning the results.

In December 2020, Trump repeatedly called Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and his deputy, Richard Donoghue, urging them to issue statements supporting baseless fraud claims. When they refused, Trump famously told them: “Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen.”

Trump then turned to Jeffrey Clark, a little-known DOJ official willing to back his lies. Clark drafted a letter to Georgia officials falsely claiming the DOJ had “significant concerns” about election irregularities—despite DOJ investigators already confirming there was no widespread fraud. Trump intended to install Clark as Acting Attorney General to push this letter nationwide.

This triggered a dramatic Oval Office showdown on January 3, 2021. DOJ leaders threatened to resign en masse if Trump replaced Rosen with Clark. Even White House Counsel Pat Cipollone warned Trump the move would cause a “grave constitutional crisis.” Under immense pressure, Trump backed down—but only temporarily.

Within days, Trump pivoted to Mike Pence, trying to coerce him into rejecting certified electors on January 6th. The DOJ plot had failed, but Trump’s pressure campaign directly fueled the insurrection that followed.

Next up: Episode 72 – Trump Tower Moscow Lies.