The Hearing Begins
Six Nevada Republicans are in court today facing forgery charges for signing documents that tried to give Donald Trump the state’s electoral votes after the 2020 election. The preliminary hearing started this morning in Carson City, where a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence for the case to move forward.
The defendants include Nevada GOP Chair Michael McDonald and five other party members. They’re accused of signing certificates claiming to be Nevada’s official electors, even though Joe Biden won the state. Prosecutors from the Nevada Attorney General’s office played video footage showing the ceremony where these documents were signed.
Where’s the Attorney General?
Here’s what’s raising eyebrows: Attorney General Aaron Ford, whose office brought these charges, isn’t even in Nevada today. He’s in Texas at a fundraiser for his gubernatorial campaign.
Yesterday, Ford held a campaign event in Austin, and today he is in Dallas doing the same.
Some observers are questioning why he’s out of state raising money while this important case unfolds.
“Why is the AG off fundraising in another State??? I was unaware we co-governed Texas,” one observer posted on social media during the hearing.
Ford might appear by Zoom, but his physical absence sends a message about priorities. For many conservatives watching this case, it looks like political theater when the top prosecutor can’t be bothered to show up.
Second Try After Embarrassing Failure
Here’s what makes this even more embarrassing for Ford: this is his second attempt at prosecuting these defendants after a judge dismissed the case in June 2024 because Ford filed it in the wrong jurisdiction.
That’s right. Ford’s office originally brought charges in Clark County, Las Vegas, instead of where the alleged crimes actually happened.
Judge Mary Kay Holthus ruled that she lacked jurisdiction because the signing ceremony took place in Carson City and the documents were mailed from Douglas County, both in western Nevada. The state couldn’t refile the case up north because the three-year statute of limitations expired in December.
Think about that. The state’s top lawyer couldn’t even figure out the right courthouse. Now they’re trying again after the Nevada Supreme Court gave them another chance. Basic legal competence seems too much to ask.
Your Tax Dollars at Work
This case is just one piece of Ford’s expensive legal agenda. The Review-Journal recently exposed how Ford’s office refuses to say how much taxpayer money they’re spending on various lawsuits. When journalists ask simple questions about legal costs, they get stonewalled. What are they hiding?
Think about it. Ford’s office won’t tell you how much of your money they’re spending, but they have resources to prosecute six Republicans for signing papers. They have money for Ford to fly to Texas for campaign fundraisers, but can’t provide basic transparency about legal expenses.
Every dollar spent prosecuting these six defendants is a dollar that could go to fighting actual crime. Las Vegas has real criminals running around, but the AG is focused on Republicans who signed documents four years ago. That’s your money being spent on what many see as political revenge, not public safety.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This case cuts to the heart of concerns about government overreach and political prosecution. The six defendants argue they were simply preserving legal options while election challenges played out in court. They say they were following a process that Democrats used in Hawaii back in 1960, when electors signed competing certificates during a disputed election.
The charges carry serious consequences. If convicted of forgery, these defendants could face years in prison and thousands in fines. That’s a heavy hammer for what many see as a political dispute, not a criminal matter.
If signing documents to preserve legal options becomes a felony, what happens to political dissent? Today it’s these six Republicans. Tomorrow it could be anyone who challenges election results through what they believe are legal channels.
The Bigger Picture
This case is part of a nationwide pattern. Similar charges have been filed against Republican electors in other states. Meanwhile, Ford’s lack of transparency about costs fits his pattern too. He spends tax money on political prosecutions while hiding the bills from taxpayers.
Recent polls show most Republicans believe the 2020 election had serious problems. Whether you agree or not, millions of Americans have these concerns. Using tax dollars to prosecute people for acting on those beliefs, while refusing to say how much it costs, shows contempt for both justice and transparency.
Looking Ahead
The preliminary hearing continues with testimony from Tony Grosz, an investigator with the attorney general’s office. The judge will decide whether probable cause exists for trial.
If this case moves forward, expect it to become a campaign issue. Ford wants to be governor, but he won’t tell voters how much their money he spends on cases like this. Republicans should demand answers about both the political nature of these prosecutions and their hidden costs.
What Conservatives Can Do
Demand transparency from Ford’s office about how much this case costs taxpayers. Support legal defense funds for the defendants. Contact state representatives about concerns over political prosecutions and fiscal accountability. Ask candidates for attorney general whether they’ll provide transparent budgets.
Most importantly, remember this when Ford runs for governor. A prosecutor who hides spending while fundraising out of state during important hearings isn’t someone who deserves a promotion.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
