The stories you want. The opinions that matter.
No, thanks
Tag: scott perry
Scott Perry

New Documents Show Perry's 'Extraordinary' Effort To Overturn 2020 Election

The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals unsealed documents revealing Rep. Scott Perry's (R-PA) interactions and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Politico reports.

Per Politico, Perry's conversations with former Department of Justice (DOJ) official Jeffrey Clark — who was indicted alongside former President Donald Trump and 17 others in the ongoing Georgia election case — "are perhaps the most revealing."

During one conversation, the news outlet reports, "Perry told Clark that Trump was upset with Clark for using the Justice Department to defend [ex-Vice President Mike] Pence against a lawsuit brought by another House member, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas)."

The Texas lawmaker "was seeking a court ruling declaring that Pence had the power to unilaterally reject Biden's electoral votes, but DOJ’s civil division — then under Clark’s leadership — stepped in to defend Pence against the suit, which failed," the report notes.

The Pennsylvania GOP leader texted Clark on December 30, 2020, "POTUS seems very happy with your response. I read it just as you dictated," to which the former DOJ official replied, "I'm praying. This makes me quite nervous. And wonder if I'm worthy or ready."

Perry said, "You are the man. I have confirmed it. God does what he does for a reason."

Politico listed the "extraordinary web of communications between Perry, who is now the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, and key figures in Trump's orbit," including:

  • A Dec. 12, 2020, text exchange with Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel discussing efforts to challenge Joe Biden’s victory in the election.
  • A series of exchanges between Perry and a former DOJ colleague, Robert Gasaway, between Dec. 30, 2020, and Jan. 5, 2021, in which Perry embraced a plan to have then-Vice President Mike Pence “admit testimony” prior to the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021. Perry agreed to “sell[] the idea” with a call to Trump, Pence and Trump adviser John Eastman, but Perry later alerted Gasaway that Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, “will not allow access.”
  • A description of numerous exchanges between Perry and top Trump administration officials, including Clark, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, senior adviser Eric Herschmann and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, a former House colleague of Perry.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Scott Perry

Republicans Join Democrats To Oust Coup Plotter Scott Perry

Since Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) participated in ex-President Donald Trump's plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election, he's faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans in his state of Pennsylvania.

The Daily Beast notes in a recent exclusive report that "as part of an FBI probe into efforts to overturn the election, in August 2022, the FBI confiscated Perry's phone with a court-authorized search warrant—though the FBI has been unable to access the phone amid legal challenges."

Now, seven Democrats in Pennsylvania believe "they have a real shot at ousting the infamous Trump ally this cycle by banking that voters in Perry's district will reject his role in the 'Big Lie' and hardline brand of politics."

According to the Beast, Democratic candidates like Marine Corps fighter pilot Lt. Col. Mike O’Brien and ex-local broadcast journalist Janelle Stelson "are counting on that sentiment to turn the tides in Perry's Pennsylvania district, which encompasses Dauphin County—home of the state capitol Harrisburg—as well as parts of Cumberland and York counties."

The news outlet notes, "Democrats flipped the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners for the first time in 100 years this month. Some school board races, including in the conservative York County, have also trended Democrat."

Stelson told the Beast, "I can't imagine that people want to continue to vote for somebody who basically negated their votes."

Furthermore, Pennsylvania Republicans against Trump "have piled onto the race to oust Perry," according to the Beast, including "The centrist Democratic Welcome PAC" which financially backs "Republicans Against Perry" headed by "longtime Pennsylvania Republican operative Craig Snyder."

The news outlet notes, "Republicans Against Perry has not backed a Democratic primary candidate—though they may endorse as the race unfolds. In the general election, if the campaign determines the Democratic candidate can be competitive, Republicans Against Perry intends to support their campaign."

Snyder said, "We think he deserves to be replaced, and we think he can be replaced."

State Democratic strategist Mike Minkus added, "Everything from his attempts to steal the 2020 presidential election, to his extreme views on issues that are important like abortion, I think this district is primed to be extremely competitive."

Additionally, Minkus emphasized, "it's never a good thing with voters when the FBI seizes your cellphone."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Scott Perry

Extraordinary Election Victory In Dauphin County Could Flip Seat Democratic

In a historic victory, Democrats have gained their first majority on the Board of Commissioners in Dauphin County since at least 1919—and possibly ever—after Republican Chad Saylor conceded to Democrat Justin Douglas following this month’s elections. Notably, the county includes the state capital of Harrisburg and nearby suburbs, Combined with Democratic wins around the state, every county that Joe Biden won in 2020 will now have a Democratic-led county government, covering 56 percent of the state's population. As Bolts magazine's Daniel Nichanian has detailed, Pennsylvania's county governments play an important role in administering elections, determining access to voting, and certifying election results in this major swing state.

In addition, Dauphin County forms the heart of the 10th Congressional District, a closely divided area now represented by Republican Rep. Scott Perry. Perry, a top election denier and ally of Donald Trump, has been under investigation for his alleged involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Democrats are eager to unseat him next year and already have a crowded field of candidates vying to do so. Whoever wins the nomination may benefit if the new board majority takes steps to make voting easier, including by increasing the availability of drop boxes and allowing voters to correct problems with mail-in ballots.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos.

Scott Perry

Judge Issues 'Scathing' Opinion Authorizing Search Of Scott Perry's Phone

Late Friday, Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court in D.C. swatted aside the protestations of Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) who was trying to keep the Justice Department from reviewing over 2,000 documents on his phone related to the January 6 insurrection.

Perry, who continues to support Donald Trump's assertion that the election was stolen and is reportedly under investigation, claimed that the 2,219 documents on his phone were protected by the "speech or debate" clause in the Constitution which shields members of Congress from a criminal investigation into fulfilling their duties.

However, Judge Howell bluntly disagreed on Friday.

"Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court in D.C. released a number of previously sealed opinions after finding that the 'powerful public interest'outweighed the need for secrecy in the constitutional battle over Perry’s claims and the historic investigation," the Washington Post is reporting.

In the ruling, Howell wrote, "What is plain is that the Clause does not shield Rep. Perry’s random musings with private individuals touting an expertise in cybersecurity or political discussions with attorneys from a presidential campaign, or with state legislators concerning hearings before them about possible local election fraud or actions they could take to challenge election results in Pennsylvania."

According to the Post's Spencer Hsu, "Perry is a key figure who sought to help Trump replace the attorney general after the 2020 election with former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark and get the Justice Department to reverse its finding that Joe Biden had been elected fairly, according to the House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack by Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol."

The report adds, "The Justice Department has separately prioritized and obtained access to 37 emails between Perry and Trump-connected lawyers John Eastman, who pushed false claims of mass electoral fraud in 2020, Clark and aide Ken Klukowski, as well as 331 documents from Clark about his January 6 role, according to the filings."

You can read more here.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.