Issue One’s National Council on Election Integrity responds to the indictment of former President Trump for his attempt to overturn 2020 election

Following the indictment of former President Trump for his actions to overturn the will of the people following the 2020 presidential election, Issue One’s bipartisan National Council on Election Integrity released the following statement:

“As bipartisan former elected officials, national security, and civic leaders, we work together to defend the integrity of America’s elections, regardless of partisan politics or outside political pressures. We stand for the rule of law, the power of the U.S. Constitution, and the peaceful transfer of power.

“The allegations in the indictment of former President Trump’s attempt to stay in power and ignore the votes of the American electorate demonstrate the clear and present danger that he continues to pose to the continuation of our democratic republic.

“As the indictment details, former President Trump coordinated a wide-ranging conspiracy to subvert the rule of law and our Constitution in an attempt to remain in power despite having lost the election. He spread false conspiracy theories and lied to his supporters, who subsequently attacked our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021. Hundreds of people have already been sentenced to lengthy prison terms by juries of their peers for their actions during the insurrection.

“We understand that some Americans will interpret this indictment through the lens of partisan politics. Regardless of what you might think of President Trump’s one term in office, the indictment alleges he was determined to stay in power despite having lost the election. If found guilty, he will have betrayed the country by attacking the very foundation of our democracy – the right to vote and to have one’s vote counted.

“Former President Trump’s alleged actions during January 6, 2021 resulted in catastrophic injuries to Capitol Police officers, death threats against hardworking election officials, and continued assaults on the integrity of our election systems. The consequences for our democratic republic have been grave in eroding confidence in our elections without cause. If former President Trump broke the law, then he must be held accountable, like any other American.

“In the United States of America, no one can be above the law.”

Background:

Last week, Special Counsel Jack Smith unsealed an indictment against former President Donald Trump that alleges that Mr. Trump waged a lengthy campaign against American democracy, violating our two century tradition of peaceful transfers of power, and undermining public confidence in our democratic process by attempting to overturn the will of the people as expressed in a free and fair election.

The bipartisan National Council on Election Integrity consists of 39 government, national security, and civic leaders united around defending the legitimacy of our free and fair elections.

Learn more about the NCEI and its efforts to protect and strengthen U.S. elections.