On Friday, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich began her first hearing in a case involving unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud brought by President Donald Trump’s campaign and its allies.
In her opening remarks, Judge Chutkan said the hearing will decide whether there is a plausible legal claim that could allow the President’s lawyers to obtain millions of votes in swing states across the country which could potentially overturn the 2020 election.
The hearing began with the testimony of three witnesses for the Trump campaign — former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn, attorney Sidney Powell, and retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn — who each presented evidence purportedly backing up claims that the election in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, and other states was rigged in favor of President-elect Joe Biden.
At the end of the hearing, Judge Chutkan is expected to rule on whether or not the campaign has standing to pursue its claims of election fraud in these states. If the judge disagrees with the campaign, she could move to dismiss the case or refer it to another court.
