### Special Counsel Delivers Detailed Case on Trump’s Efforts to Subvert 2020 Election

In a significant development, special counsel Jack Smith has presented a comprehensive argument to a federal judge, aiming to advance the prosecution's election interference case against former President Donald Trump. This case, detailed in a 165-page brief, outlines the intricate and clandestine activities involving Trump and his close associates during the contested period of late 2020 and early 2021.

The brief paints a picture of a Trump-centric operation featuring a mix of his longstanding allies, new legal faces, and various state officials who purportedly faced Trump's ire as his attempts to challenge the election results floundered. Notably, the brief refrains from naming most of these individuals directly, identifying them instead as CC1 through CC6 and P1 through P77. However, The Washington Post was able to identify many of these figures via job descriptions and previously publicized actions from media reports or the House committee's investigation into the January 6 attack.

Central to Smith's argument is the assertion that the actions of Trump and his associates were "unofficial" and detached from Trump's presidential duties. This distinction is vital given a Supreme Court precedent that grants broad immunity to presidents for their official acts. The brief offers an inside look at how Trump's plans to overturn the election results were concocted and eventually collapsed.

One prominent figure mentioned is Steve Bannon, a longtime adviser to Trump who joined the 2020 campaign shortly before Election Day. The prosecutors allege that Bannon advised Trump to declare victory prematurely. Following the election's call for Joe Biden, Bannon supposedly suggested Trump replace his legal team with Rudy Giuliani. From mid-December 2020, Bannon and Trump reportedly had daily contact, and Bannon used his podcast to propagate false claims about fraudulent electors and pressure Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results. Bannon's lawyer has not commented on these allegations.

Giuliani's involvement, much of which occurred publicly, was also scrutinized. The brief describes multiple closed-door meetings with state Republicans, where he faced unexpected resistance from officials like Rusty Bowers, the then-speaker of the Arizona House. Despite failing to produce evidence of fraud, Giuliani proceeded with unfounded claims, notably targeting election workers in Georgia. His role extended to organizing alternative electors in multiple states. The brief also recounts Giuliani's efforts on January 6 to persuade senators to delay the certification of Biden's victory. Giuliani has been disbarred and faces multiple indictments. His spokesperson condemned the special counsel's actions as "blatant election interference."

John Eastman, another key player, is noted for his legal strategies aimed at reversing the election results. Eastman allegedly collaborated with Trump and Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel to coordinate the actions of illegitimate electors. Despite knowing the legal boundaries, Eastman is said to have pressured Pence to declare Trump the winner, inciting the crowd on January 6. Eastman has been disbarred in California and is facing criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona.

Kenneth Chesebro, an attorney, was deeply involved in the plan to submit fraudulent electoral votes. Chesebro's memos outlined strategies to create doubt about the election's outcome, and he personally delivered fake elector paperwork to congressional aides. Although he has pleaded guilty to conspiring to file false documents in Georgia, Chesebro remains uncharged in the federal case.

Finally, Doug Ducey, the Arizona governor during the 2020 election, played a pivotal role in certifying Biden's narrow win in the state. Unlike many other Republicans, Ducey has minimized his post-election interactions with Trump and his allies.

The special counsel's exhaustive submission uncovers the behind-the-scenes maneuvers by Trump and his inner circle to subvert the 2020 election results, now placed under judicial scrutiny.