Sixteen Michigan Republicans, including prominent party figures, are facing felony charges for their alleged involvement in a scheme to submit false electoral certificates for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges on Tuesday, alleging that the group, which includes Michigan GOP Chair Kathy Berden and former co-chair Meshawn Maddock, forged documents and conspired to undermine the election process. Each individual faces eight counts, with potential penalties ranging from five to fourteen years imprisonment.

The charges stem from a December 2020 meeting at Michigan Republican Party headquarters where the individuals allegedly signed certificates falsely claiming to be legitimate electors for Trump. These documents were subsequently sent to Congress and the National Archives. Nessel stated that these actions eroded public trust in election integrity and violated Michigan election laws. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson echoed these concerns, emphasizing the ongoing national effort to undermine democracy and the importance of accountability to prevent future occurrences. Benson framed the charges as a crucial step in ensuring the integrity of the 2024 election.

Similar false electoral certificates declaring Trump the victor were also submitted in several other states, including Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. At the time of reporting, the Michigan Republican Party had not yet responded to requests for comment. This ongoing investigation underscores the legal and political ramifications of attempts to interfere with election processes.