Michigan Court Drops 2020 Trump Fake Elector Charges/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A Michigan judge has dismissed all charges against 15 individuals accused of falsely certifying Donald Trump as the 2020 election winner in the state. The court ruled there was no criminal intent, delivering a significant setback to ongoing fake elector prosecutions. The decision further complicates similar legal efforts in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
Fake Electors Case Dismissed — Quick Looks
- Judge Kristen Simmons tosses charges against 15 alleged fake electors
- Defendants accused of falsely certifying Trump as Michigan’s 2020 winner
- Judge found no criminal intent, citing belief in election issues
- Charges included forgery and conspiracy, carrying up to 14 years in prison
- Defendants reacted emotionally; supporters celebrated outside court
- Case has dragged on since 2023 under Attorney General Dana Nessel
- Nessel calls the decision “very wrong” and “disappointing”
- Prominent GOP activist Meshawn Maddock among those cleared
- Decision could impact similar prosecutions in four other states
- Case not about 2020 election results, judge emphasized
Deep Look: Michigan Judge Dismisses Charges Against 2020 Trump Electors
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — In a major legal setback for prosecutors pursuing efforts to hold individuals accountable for the 2020 “fake electors” scheme, a Michigan judge on Tuesday dismissed all charges against 15 Republicans who were accused of falsely attempting to certify Donald Trump as the winner in a state he lost by over 155,000 votes.
The ruling marks one of the most significant developments yet in a broader legal effort to challenge attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Judge Says No Criminal Intent
In a highly anticipated court hearing, District Court Judge Kristen D. Simmons ruled that the accused individuals would not face trial. The decision came after months of legal proceedings initiated by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, who brought the charges in mid-2023.
Simmons explained her reasoning clearly: the court found no evidence of criminal intent. While the judge acknowledged the group may have been “right, wrong or indifferent,” she concluded they “seriously believed” there were legitimate concerns regarding the 2020 election outcome.
“I believe they were executing their constitutional right to seek redress,” Simmons said.
“This is not an election interference case.”
What the Charges Were
The group faced eight felony counts each, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery, with penalties that could have reached 14 years in prison. Among the defendants were high-profile Michigan Republicans, including Meshawn Maddock, a prominent MAGA activist and former co-chair of the Michigan GOP.
One man had previously agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, resulting in charges being dropped against him in October 2023. The other 15 maintained their innocence and pleaded not guilty.
Emotional Reaction in Court
Outside the courtroom, emotions ran high as supporters and relatives gathered to await the verdict. When Simmons announced the dismissal, cheers erupted in the courthouse hallway. Several defendants embraced loved ones, with one woman tearfully exclaiming, “We did it.”
The ruling effectively ends a two-year legal battle that began shortly after Biden’s victory was certified and a GOP-led state Senate investigation upheld the results.
AG Nessel: A “Very Wrong” Decision
In a virtual press briefing following the ruling, Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed strong disagreement.
“They knew they were not electors,” Nessel said.
“They intentionally sought to bypass the legitimate process. This decision is deeply disappointing.”
Nessel’s office had argued that the defendants met in December 2020 at Michigan GOP headquarters, where they signed a fraudulent certificate claiming to be the state’s “duly elected and qualified electors” for Donald Trump. That document was then sent to federal authorities in an effort to disrupt the Electoral College certification process.
Despite Simmons being a Democratic appointee of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the ruling casts doubt on the viability of similar prosecutions across the country.
Political Blowback
The decision has also triggered political fallout.
State Rep. Matt Maddock, husband of Meshawn Maddock, spoke outside court and promised “retribution” against those who pursued the case.
“They’re going to pay for what they did to these people,” he warned.
Meshawn Maddock’s attorney, Nicholas Somberg, called the prosecution a “waste of taxpayer money” and alleged malicious intent from the attorney general’s office.
Legal Ripple Effects Across the U.S.
Michigan is one of five states where prosecutors have filed charges connected to the broader “fake electors” plan, which was central to Donald Trump’s alleged efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election.
Here’s the status in other states:
- Nevada: State AG revived charges against fake electors last year
- Georgia: Prosecution paused as DA Fani Willis faces appeal over her involvement
- Wisconsin: Judge declined to dismiss felony charges against Trump allies
- Arizona: Case returned to a grand jury in May 2025
None of the above have yet reached the trial phase, and all have faced procedural delays and appeals.
What About Trump?
The broader federal indictment involving Trump and the fake electors scheme was dropped earlier in 2025, shortly before Trump began his second term as president. While technically still listed as a defendant in the Georgia case, legal experts agree that no active prosecution can proceed against a sitting president.
The Michigan ruling adds another challenge to efforts aimed at holding Trump’s allies accountable and may set a precedent that defense attorneys in other states could seize upon.
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