In Episode 254 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg continues to make the case for mass pressure to demand nullification of the election—on the constitutional basis of the Insurrection Clause. Trump indisputably instigated an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, and the Supreme Court has ruled that invoking the Insurrection Clause to bar him from the presidency is the prerogative of Congress. And the Electoral College has the power to refuse to seat him on the same grounds. A candidate for county commissioner in New Mexico has already been barred from office on the basis of having participated in the Capitol insurrection—and MAGA congressional candidate Madison Cawthorn could also have been barred on that basis if he hadn't been primaried out as the case over the matter was still pending before the courts. Leading Democrats like Rep. Jamie Raskin have spoken in support of such disqualifications—yet are mysteriously silent with the country now on the countdown to a fascist takeover. Even the "Hamlton Electors," who advocated for electoral nullification in 2016, now appear to be gone. 

Furthermore, some cybersecurity experts are caling for a foresnic audit of the election, citing evidence of software breaches, bomb threats on poling places, and other irregularities. Some voices in the progressive blogosphere, such as Gaslit Nation, have noted these calls. In Romania, where a Putin-favored right-wing populist has won the first-round vote in the presidential election, a recount has been ordered by the courts in response to a public outcry. And protests continue to mount in the Republic of Georgia, following a contested election in which a Putin-favored right-wing populist party cemented its majority. Why is everyone so quiet here in the United States, the seat of the empire, where the stakes are the highest?

We need to demand a halt to the presidential transition process, and #ElectoralNullification. Make the hashtag go viral!

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Production by Chris Rywalt

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CounterVortex Podcast

Nullify the election! III

Around the world, with inspiring heroism and courage, people are putting everything on the line to defend democracy and prevent the consolidation of dictatorships. In the Republic of Georgia, protests continue in the wake of contested elections that consolidated the rule of an authoritarian pro-Russia party, and the incumbent opposition-backed president is refusing to step down until new polls are held. In Romania, where a Putin-favored right-wing populist won the first-round vote for the presidency, that round has now been anulled by the country's high court in response to a public outcry over Russian meddling. In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law was met with defiant protests, prompting an overturn of the declaration by the National Assembly, followed by a vote to impeach Yoon, and the opening of a criminal investigation by judicial authorities on charges of "insurrection." Mozambique has seen months of angry protests since contested elections that saw yet another victory for the entrenched machine FRELIMO—despite a deadly police crackdown. And in Brazil, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, indicted for leading a Trump-style attempted auto-golpe in 2022, has been barred from office. In Episode 257 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg again asks: Why is everyone so quiet here in the United States, the seat of the empire, where the stakes are the highest?

The Electoral College has now confirmed Trump's victory, but the electoral votes still await certification by Congress on Jan. 6. There is still time for what is urgently mandated for the survival of American democracy—nullification of the election.

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Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to donate just $1 per weekly podcast via Patreon -- or $2 for our new special offer! We now have 70 subscribers. If you appreciate our work, please become Number 71!

Nullify the election! IV

Mere days before Congress is to certify the Electoral College votes, a movement has finally emerged to have Donald Trump disqualified from office under the Insurrection Clause of the 14th Amendment. A "14th Now March" in Washington is raising the demand, and is being promoted by the podcast and vlog Lights On with Jessica Denson. The idea has also been discussed on The Legal Breakdown with Brian Tyler Cohen and Glenn Kirschner, Legal AF with Ben Meiselas, The Romano Report with Mark Romano, and Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Constitutional law scholars Evan Davis and David Schulte make the case in an editorial for The Hill, "Congress has the power to block Trump from taking office, but lawmakers must act now." Several elected officials have been barred from office under the Insurrection Clause since ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868, but appyling it to a former president who led an insurrection is the ultimate test of American democracy. In Episode 259 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg urges that this constitutional mechanism be used, and Trump's victory be nullified.

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Production by Chris Rywalt

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Nullify the election! V

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New tracks tagged #ElectoralNullification