Hearing Continues for Arizona 'Fake Electors' Case

A hearing regarding the dismissal of charges against 18 Republicans accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Arizona is ongoing, with Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen presiding. The defendants, including Rudy Giuliani and other Trump associates, face charges of forgery, fraud, and conspiracy stemming from a scheme involving false electors. They argue that Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is using the charges to silence their constitutionally protected speech about the election, referencing a recently amended Arizona law that protects against baseless legal actions. Prosecutors counter that the defendants lack evidence for their claims and have crossed the line from protected speech to committing fraud. The trial is set to begin no sooner than January 5, 2026, potentially outlasting both Judge Cohen's and Attorney General Mayes' terms in office. This case follows revelations that Mayes' predecessor did not investigate similar allegations during his tenure, highlighting a shift in the state's approach to election integrity.