Why it matters: In the memo, William Olson admitted that his proposed plans could be seen as the equivalent of declaring “martial law” and could be compared to Watergate.
His plans included breaching the Justice Department and firing the deputy attorney general, according to the Dec. 28 memo titled “Maintaining Constitutional Order.” The document highlights how Trump has been turning to extreme, far-right figures outside the White House to pursue options to cling to power, the New York Times reports. Many of his official advisers had told him that these options were impossible or illegal.
Details: The New York Times reports that Trump has continued to seek extreme legal advice that goes against the Justice Department’s recommendations.
According to the memo, Olson suggested that the Justice Department would intercede directly with the Supreme Court to overturn Trump’s defeat. He also encouraged Trump to fire or reappoint Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen if he did not use the Justice Department to challenge the election to the court. Olson acknowledged that doing so would generate negative media coverage.
Background: Olson currently represents conspiracy theorist and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who was sanctioned in an election lawsuit.
Olson also had ties to Republican super PACs and promoted a conspiracy theory that Kamala Harris is ineligible for vice president, falsely claiming she is not a natural-born US citizen.
What they say: “Our small team of lawyers is working on a memorandum that explains exactly what you can do,” Olson wrote in his memo to Trump.
“The media will call this martial law … this is ‘fake news,’” Olson wrote.
