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#Powell

2 incidents

Updated January 7, 2021 Rule of Law
Critical Rights and Rule-of-Law Concern

2020 Election Fraud Claims: 60+ Court Losses, No Evidence Found

Trump's legal team, led at various points by Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Jenna Ellis, made dramatic claims in press conferences — coordinated election fraud, Dominion Voting Systems switching votes, Venezuelan electoral interference, suitcases of fake ballots — that were not supported by evidence filed in court. Judges demanded evidence; Trump's lawyers repeatedly stated in court filings that they were not alleging fraud, only procedural irregularities. CISA Director Christopher Krebs called the 2020 election 'the most secure in American history'; Trump fired him. Attorney General Barr stated the DOJ had found no evidence of fraud sufficient to change the outcome; Trump pressured him to say otherwise and Barr resigned.

Sources
4
election-fraud2020-electioncourt-lossespost-presidencyrule-of-law
Updated December 11, 2019 Rule of Law
Significant Democratic Concern

Federal Reserve Independence Attacks: Unprecedented Presidential Pressure on Fed Chair Powell

Trump nominated Powell to chair the Federal Reserve in November 2017 and he was confirmed in February 2018. By July 2018, Trump was publicly criticizing Powell's interest rate decisions — the first time in decades a sitting president had publicly pressured the Fed chair in this manner. Over the following 18 months, Trump made more than 100 public statements criticizing the Fed's rate decisions. He called the Fed 'the biggest risk to the economy,' said the Fed had gone 'crazy' with rate increases, asked why he should have a Fed that was tightening while Europe was loosening, and repeatedly compared Powell unfavorably to Chinese central bank policy. Trump also inquired about whether he could demote or fire Powell, which advisers told him he could not legally do under the Federal Reserve Act.

Sources
4
Federal-ReservePowellfirst-termrule-of-lawmonetary-policy