Donald Trump’s attempt to cling to power four years ago is suddenly back in the spotlight, just weeks before he could stage a dramatic return to the White House.
Special counsel Jack Smith and former Rep. Liz Cheney have thrown the GOP nominee’s false claims of 2020 election fraud back into the mix, reviving memories of January 6 during Trump’s tight race against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Cheney joined Harris in Wisconsin, part of a bipartisan push to block Trump from reclaiming the presidency. Despite Trump’s efforts to undermine the democratic process and his role in the Capitol riots, his return to power is still a real possibility, showcasing the nation’s deep divisions and the Republican Party’s prioritization of political power. Most of all, it highlights the magnetic pull that has made Trump an enduring and historic figure.
Cheney, a staunch conservative, teamed up with Harris to encourage independents and Trump-skeptical Republicans to back the Democratic nominee. She argued, “The most conservative value is loyalty to the Constitution,” and urged voters to put patriotism above partisanship in this crucial election. Cheney warned, “Our republic faces an unprecedented threat,” and called Trump cruel and unfit to lead.
This striking scene is a result of the political upheaval Trump triggered four years ago. Even former Vice President Dick Cheney, who once faced fierce opposition from Democrats, has now endorsed Harris. Liz Cheney declared, “I’ve never voted for a Democrat, but this year, I’m proudly voting for Kamala Harris.”
Cheney lost her leadership role in the GOP and later her House seat for opposing Trump’s 2020 election claims. Yet, in Wisconsin—an important swing state—her influence could sway critical votes. Next week, she will join former Trump aides Alyssa Farah Griffin, Cassidy Hutchinson, and Sarah Matthews for a discussion aimed at opposing Trump’s bid for re-election.
In Wisconsin, Harris commended Cheney’s bravery and stated, “Anyone who calls for the termination of the U.S. Constitution, as Trump has, must never be allowed to hold office again.”
Trump lashed out on his social media platform, hurling personal insults at Cheney, while also reminding his followers of his staunch opposition to the Middle East wars led by Cheney’s father. His comments underscored the populist shift within the Republican Party, appealing to those who supported him in America’s heartland.
How undecided swing-state voters process Cheney and Trump’s remarks—alongside top issues like the economy—could be key to determining the outcome of the election.
Meanwhile, Smith’s federal election interference case against Trump resurfaced with new details, following a court filing that revealed Trump’s efforts to cling to power after losing the 2020 election. Smith’s case has faced setbacks due to the conservative-majority Supreme Court, which granted Trump and other former presidents broad immunity for actions taken while in office.
Although the January 6 riots and Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election outcome should be politically damaging, Trump’s rewriting of history has made this issue less decisive in the current election. Despite his controversial conduct, millions of Americans still do not see Trump as disqualified from office. He has shifted the narrative, arguing that Biden and Harris are the true threats to democracy, even accusing them of inciting violence against him.
Trump’s grip on the Republican base is as strong as ever, enabling him to pressure GOP leaders to support his post-2020 actions. As the 2024 election nears, Trump is already casting doubt on the election process to guard against another possible defeat.
While Trump’s return to power alarms many Americans due to his authoritarian tendencies and promises of retribution against political foes, his supporters view him as a strong leader fighting against a weaponized Biden administration. Trump’s legal battles, which have stemmed from legitimate judicial processes, have only strengthened his claims of political persecution, helping him dominate the Republican primary.
Smith’s latest court filing paints a devastating picture of Trump’s actions following the 2020 election, but Trump has so far delayed a trial. Smith accuses Trump of attempting to overturn election results in seven states. Although Trump remains innocent until proven guilty, the facts are clear—he refused to accept the results of a legitimate election and incited a mob to storm the Capitol.
Biden originally made Trump’s threat to democracy the core of his re-election campaign but has since stepped aside, leaving Harris to focus on issues like high grocery prices and housing costs, while also warning voters of the dangers posed by Trump’s potential return.
A recent poll showed that while many voters prioritize the economy, nearly one in four sees protecting democracy as a key issue. Despite the horrific events of January 6, it’s clear that, four years later, they aren’t the dominant focus for many.
If Trump wins, future generations may ask how a former president who tried to dismantle democracy was able to use the same system to regain power.
