‘Which Ones, Sir?’ Kaitlan Collins Grills Ron Johnson About Claim Democrats Used Fake Electors Like Trump Did

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins grilled Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) over his claim that Democrats have used fake electors like President Donald Trump did in his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Last week, 10 Wisconsin Republicans who signed false documents claiming Trump won the state’s 2020 presidential election – and therefore its electoral votes – settled a civil lawsuit over their scheme. They agreed to acknowledge President Joe Biden won the election and withdrew their false filings. They also agreed not to serve as electors in 2024 or in any election in which Trump is on the ballot.

One of the fake electors, Bob Spindell, serves on the Wisconsin Election Commission. Democrats have called on Spindell to be removed from his position, but the Republican-controlled legislature has rebuffed those entreaties.

“Do you think he should resign from that given the role he played in the fake elector scheme?” Collins asked Johnson on Monday’s edition of The Source.

“No,” he replied. ” Again, there was an active court case. There are all kinds of irregularities in Wisconsin in the 2020 election. And in order to make sure the case just wasn’t determined to be moot, they had to have an alternate slate of electors, just like Democrats have done repeatedly in all kinds of different states. There is nothing untoward about what they did. There was nothing illegal about what they did. They were just an alternate slate of electors.”

“They were going to court. They had $2.4 million on the line in damages if they lost this case in trial,” Collins said.

“Democrats are using the civil courts to harass these poor individuals,” he protested. “It’s a travesty. But that’s what Democrats do. They view politics as a blood sport. It’s unfortunate. These folks did nothing different than many Democrats have done in many states.”

Collins seized on that remark, which led to this exchange:

COLLINS: They certainly did, Senator. I mean there were multiple slates of fake electors, including in your home state. They’re acknowledging that they were playing a role in trying to improperly overturn the election. That’s what they said.

JOHNSON: They got themselves out of a nuisance lawsuit. They agreed to get– to settle a nuisance lawsuit that never should have been brought.

COLLINS: So, you think it’s fine that someone–

JOHNSON: Travesty of justice.

COLLINS: You think it’s fine that someone who tried to overturn a legitimate election is still on a board that certifies–

JOHNSON: Democrat electors have done that repeatedly. Democrats have done–

COLLINS: Which one? In Wisconsin, there’s been fake slates of electors?

JOHNSON: No, it’s happening in different states.

COLLINS: Which ones, sir?

JOHNSON: I didn’t come prepared to give you the exact states, but it’s happened repeatedly. It has happened repeatedly. Just go check the books.

COLLINS: Which books?

JOHNSON: I mean, the have been alternate slates of electors by democrat electors in our history. Again, you didn’t– this wasn’t what this interview was gonna be about. I’ll come in, I’ll provide you the information, but I’m absolutely certain about that.

COLLINS: Ok, I look forward too. I look forward to your office sending that information. We’ll publish it if it’s

JOHNSON: We’ll do that.

Johnson may be alluding to the 1960 presidential election in Hawaii, which John F. Kennedy won. That contest has been cited by conservatives as a precedent for Trump’s scheme, but there is a key difference.

After Hawaii counted its votes, Richard Nixon was ahead pending a recount, which ended up putting Kennedy over the top. However, that recount was still ongoing by the time Hawaii needed to send its slate of electors to Congress. Both the Democrats and the Republicans sent their slates of electors, with the understanding that the slate for the actual winner would be recognized. (Hawaii’s results were moot by that point, as Kennedy already won enough electoral votes.)

In 2020, however, fake electors for Trump in multiple states signed fraudulent papers claiming Trump won the state after the results in those states had already been determined and certified.

Last week in Nevada, a grand jury indicted six Republicans who claimed they were the state’s rightful electors even though Trump lost the state. Georgia and Michigan have also indicted pro-Trump fake electors.

Watch above via CNN.