For over two years, Michigan grandmothers and farmers faced prison time for a crime that never existed. The political elite wanted to make examples of them—everyday Americans who dared to question the 2020 election results. Let that sink in. These weren’t political insiders or Washington consultants. They were retirees and regular citizens who believed something was wrong with their state’s election.
Their supposed crime? Serving as alternate Republican electors. Here’s what really gets me: Democrats used this exact same strategy during the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon race. No prosecutions. No felony charges. Nothing. But when Republicans do it? Michigan’s partisan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged them with eight felonies each. She turned their constitutional right to challenge election results into a criminal conspiracy.
This week, justice finally arrived. District Judge Kristen Simmons—appointed by Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer—threw out all charges against the 15 Republicans. You read that right. A Democrat judge. The judge didn’t hold back either. These citizens were “executing their constitutional right to seek redress” and “seriously believed” there were election issues. After years of prosecution, the state couldn’t show evidence of any actual crime.
The Human Cost of Lawfare
The defendants endured what co-defendant Meshawn Maddock called pure “legal harassment” from a “legal thug.” Think about it. These farmers, grandmothers, and retirees were drained financially and emotionally for over two years. Their lives were turned upside down by a vindictive prosecution.
From ‘The Blaze’:
“Nessel is a legal thug. We all knew from day one that we had done nothing illegal or wrong. Yes, we volunteered to be an alternate elector in support of Donald J. Trump. That is not a crime, as much as Nessel wanted it to be one. To corrupt politicians, lawfare is a ‘win’ when the punishment is the process. Their goal is not a conviction, it is pure legal harassment.”
A Dangerous Precedent Defeated
What makes this persecution so outrageous? Alternate elector slates have been used in many presidential elections. The Michigan Conservative Union pointed out these Republicans were “protecting Michigan from potentially losing its Electoral votes.” They submitted a backup slate during legally contested results. Sound familiar? It should. Democrats did the exact same thing in 1960.
Despite this clear precedent and zero evidence, Nessel called the ruling “disappointing.” She even threatened an appeal. Get this—she asked, “If they can get away with this, well, what can they get away with next?”
Really? The real question is: what can partisan prosecutors get away with when they target political opponents?
This victory belongs to these 15 citizens. But it also belongs to all Americans who believe in constitutional rights over political persecution. Similar prosecutions continue in Nevada, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Arizona. But Michigan’s ruling sends a clear message. Using the legal system as a political weapon won’t work. The establishment tried to criminalize political dissent. Even a Democrat-appointed judge wouldn’t let them get away with it.
Key Takeaways
- Democrat-appointed judge dismissed all charges against 15 Michigan Republicans accused of election crimes
- Everyday citizens faced two years of financial and emotional harassment for exercising constitutional rights
- Democrats used identical alternate elector strategy in 1960 Kennedy-Nixon race without prosecution
- Attorney General threatens appeal despite zero evidence after years of investigation
