Lara Trump received criticism on social media over the weekend when she issued a warning that individuals contemplating “cheating in an election” would face prosecution.
Lara Trump, the wife of Eric Trump, Donald Trump’s second son, has been elected as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC). This appointment comes after the resignation of Ronna McDaniel from her position as chairwoman of the RNC. Michael Whatley, a staunch Trump supporter who has previously made unfounded claims about the 2020 presidential election, has also been elected as the new RNC chair. The elections took place in Houston, Texas.
During an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo, Lara Trump shared the RNC’s top priorities, which include “protecting the vote.” She also mentioned that the RNC has already established an election integrity division.
Lara Trump issued a stern warning to individuals contemplating “cheating in an election,” stating that they will face full prosecution.
“We will not tolerate any attempts to cheat in an election. If you are considering such actions, be warned that we will pursue legal action against you to the fullest extent. It is imperative for every citizen in this nation to uphold the values of free, fair, and transparent elections,” she declared.
Newsweek has contacted Trump’s spokesperson and the RNC to request a comment, reaching out to them via email and online form respectively.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland recently made an announcement regarding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) opposition to various ballot restrictions, including those related to mail-in voting.
“The Justice Department is taking a strong stance against these actions,” Garland emphasized. “Upon assuming office, I immediately made the decision to expand the voting section of the civil rights division. Our goal is to combat any attempts made by states and jurisdictions to enforce unfair and unnecessary limitations on ballot access. This includes challenging measures that target mail-in voting, the use of drop boxes, and voter ID requirements, which only serve to burden and discriminate against eligible voters.”
Garland’s suggestions for expanding voting access have faced scrutiny from Republican-led governments, who have been criticized for their subsequent attempts to curtail these methods. These efforts have been seen as a way to limit the voting power of predominantly marginalized communities.
Trump has also faced criticism for his false claims that his opponents used these methods to carry out extensive voter fraud, which he falsely attributes to his defeat in the 2020 election and the subsequent Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Despite being widely discredited by Democrats and independent experts, these notions have gained traction among supporters of his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement.
In August 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged the former president with four counts, accusing him of being involved in the riot. These charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. Trump has pleaded not guilty, asserting that the case against him is politically motivated. He maintains his position as the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
Lara Trump received backlash on social media after users took to the platform to criticize her.
In a recent post on X, Attorney Bradley P. Moss directed a pointed message to the MAGA supporters residing in The Villages, stating, “We have our eyes on you.”
Republican Accountability, a prominent X account, also highlighted Lara Trump’s remarks and posed a thought-provoking question: “Does this encompass Donald Trump as well?”
User Blue Georgia shared a powerful message, stating, “If you come across Republicans discussing election fraud, present them with this compelling evidence.”
In a recent statement, progressive political commentator Luke Beasley expressed his opinion on the matter, suggesting that Lara Trump is in favor of prosecuting Donald Trump for his alleged crimes.
One user, pasbless, shared a similar viewpoint with Lara Trump, emphasizing the importance of having a solid ground game plan to ensure President Trump’s victory. The user stressed the need for not just signing up voters, but also ensuring that every vote is counted effectively.
