Wisconsin AG Pursues Charges Against Trump Campaign Attorneys

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has filed forgery-related charges against former Trump campaign attorneys Jim Troupis and Kenneth Chesebro, along with Trump campaign aide Michael Roman. The case centers on allegations that the defendants engaged in forgery to mislead Republican electors who met in December 2020 to cast ballots for Trump following the presidential election.

Kaul’s office has been pursuing this case for over a year, alleging that the defendants promoted a false slate of electors. The Republican electors, referred to by critics as “fake electors,” convened on December 14, 2020, to secure Trump’s electoral votes while legal challenges to the election results were ongoing. Joe Biden won Wisconsin by a margin of 20,600 votes.

Troupis, who previously served as a Dane County judge, has publicly criticized the prosecution, suggesting it is politically motivated. “When I spoke the unspeakable, which is that Trump won Wisconsin if you count the legal votes, the left can never let that level of truth come out,” Troupis stated during an interview on NewsTalk 1130 WISN in Milwaukee.

The charges against Troupis and his co-defendants have drawn scrutiny, with claims that the legal theory being used is flawed. In June 2024, Kaul held a press conference to announce the charges, which have since evolved from forgery to fraud allegations. Troupis maintains that the electors were fully aware of their actions and were not misled.

“Nobody was defrauded because they all knew what they were doing to preserve Trump’s rights,” Troupis asserted. His attorney has argued that the alternate electors’ plan was legally sound, citing historical precedents from previous elections.

Critics of the prosecution, including conservative commentators, argue that the case is emblematic of a broader trend of politically motivated legal actions against Trump allies. They contend that the prosecution is an attempt to secure a political scalp ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race in Wisconsin, which Kaul is reportedly considering entering.

In a recent ruling, Dane County Judge John D. Hyland denied motions to dismiss the felony charges, prompting concerns about the fairness of the trial given the county’s political leanings. Dane County overwhelmingly supported Biden in the 2020 election, raising questions about the composition of the jury pool.

If convicted, Troupis, Chesebro, and Roman face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each of the 11 felony charges against them. The Attorney General’s Office has not responded to requests for comment regarding the ongoing case.

Similar prosecutions are underway in other states, including Michigan, Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona, where charges have been filed against individuals involved in alternate elector schemes. Critics argue that these cases reflect a coordinated effort to target Trump supporters.

As the legal proceedings continue, Troupis remains resolute. “I will never back down,” he stated, emphasizing his belief that the prosecution is an abuse of power. He expressed concern about the financial toll the case is taking on him and his family, suggesting that the process itself serves as a punishment.

The unfolding case in Wisconsin highlights the contentious intersection of law and politics in the aftermath of the 2020 election, with significant implications for those involved and the broader political landscape.