“The former president intentionally spread disinformation about the 2020 election in an attempt to stay in power,” says Issue One Founder and CEO Nick Penniman

In response to today’s hearing by the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, Issue One Founder and CEO Nick Penniman released the following statement:

“For nearly 250 years, Americans have sustained our grand experiment in self-government by exercising their freedom to vote. While much has changed throughout our history, including who has access to the ballot, one constant has remained – that we accept the outcome of each election, even when our preferred candidate falls short.

“Today’s devastating testimony from President Trump’s former Attorney General William Barr, conservative election attorney Ben Ginsberg, and members of the former president’s inner circle and campaign definitively refutes baseless claims of election fraud advanced by the former president and his supporters.

“The facts presented by the bipartisan select committee show that the former president intentionally spread disinformation about the 2020 election in an attempt to stay in power and in doing so, placed a target on the backs of our hardworking election officials.

“Respecting the will of the voters and the peaceful transfer of power have been the hallmarks of our system of government since our country’s founding. It is difficult to fathom a more un-American offense than failing to abide by the electoral rules that have long served as the bedrock of our democratic republic.”

“The attacks on our democracy are not over. The coordinated spread of disinformation about our elections continues to be weaponized. Regardless of political party or ideology, our elected leaders must act to strengthen our democratic guardrails.”