Public Comment

Trump & Johnson’s “great secret” to win the election

Jagjit Singh
Saturday November 02, 2024 - 11:35:00 AM

With the November 5 presidential election rapidly approaching, growing concerns have emerged about potential Republican efforts to manipulate the results and secure a victory for Donald Trump. At a recent rally at Madison Square Garden, Trump hinted at a “little secret” with House Speaker Mike Johnson that would significantly impact the election outcome, though he provided no further explanation.
 

Elie Mystal, justice correspondent for The Nation, sheds light on what this “secret” might entail. According to Mystal, Trump and Johnson may be planning to exploit the 12th Amendment, which allows for a contingent election if no candidate secures a majority of the Electoral College. In such a scenario, the House of Representatives, currently controlled by Republicans, would choose the president, granting Trump an advantage.


Key to this strategy is reducing the number of “electors appointed.” By delaying or obstructing state certification of electoral results, Trump and his allies could decrease the total electors, lowering the threshold needed for an Electoral College majority. If they prevent states that Vice President Kamala Harris wins from submitting electors by the December 11 deadline, Speaker Johnson could refuse to count those votes, effectively rigging the election in Trump’s favor. Any challenge to this maneuver would ultimately end up before the conservative-leaning Supreme Court, which has a track record of ruling in Trump’s favor.

Mystal highlights the anti-democratic nature of the Electoral College and the looming constitutional crisis. Regardless of Trump’s likely loss in the popular vote, his camp’s legal and procedural manipulations could still undermine the democratic process. As Americans, we must remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding electoral integrity.