Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s renewed request for the Department of Justice’s case file on President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election has gone unanswered, according to Nessel’s office.
Nessel spokesperson Danny Wimmer on Friday told the Michigan Advance that Nessel had transmitted a letter to the Department of Justice on Jan. 16, cosigned by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.
Exams begin for next group of people charged in fake electors scheme
Noting that Mayes had also renewed her request for former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case file, the attorneys general each pointed to their ongoing prosecution of individuals tied to the 2020 fake electors scheme.
In his investigation, Smith examined a plot to submit a false slate of electoral votes to Congress in seven states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — falsely certifying their votes for Trump.
In Michigan, 15 people were charged in 2023 with felonies in the fake elector scheme. The case is ongoing.
The DOJ withdrew its election interference case against Trump after he won the presidential election in November 2024.
“Unlike Special Counsel’s case which only charged the President and is now closed, our offices have ongoing prosecutions of those who are alleged to have assisted the President’s unprecedent [sic] efforts to remain in power,” the letter reads, noting that the investigation “has established critical facts and evidence” and may include information clearing the defendants of blame.
“We are deeply worried about the potential loss of this information if these materials are not shared prior to the change in administrations. … Given that these fraudulent elector schemes directly impacted Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada, it is imperative that our offices are equipped with all relevant materials to ensure justice is served,” the attorneys general wrote.
On Jan. 24, States Newsroom reported Mayes had not received the case file, with the Arizona attorney general submitting two requests for the file prior to Jan. 16.
As of Friday afternoon —more than two weeks after the attorneys general submitted the joint letter and 11 days after Trump took office — Nessel’s office had not received the materials, Wimmer said.
This brief features reporting from Arizona Mirror Deputy Editor Caitlin Sievers.
Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Susan J. Demas for questions: info@michiganadvance.com.