Thread by @GregTSargent

1) Now that Trump mobilized his far right army for a struggle over the results, we need to take the possibility that he'll try to steal the election more seriously.

Importantly, Trump again confirmed that he expects SCOTUS to invalidate ballots.

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…

2) The idea that a GOP legislature might try to appoint pro-Trump Electors seems crazy.

But as @bartongellman reports, Rs are openly discussing this.

Crucially, they'd use fictitious fraud as the justification. Trump opened the way for this last night:

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…

3) This scheme would likely be unconstitutional, because it would probably require a new state law, which a Dem governor could veto.

Here I rely on a terrific analysis from @dorfonlaw and @tribelaw:

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…

@dorfonlaw @tribelaw 4) But here's the thing: Dem Senators can try to press Amy Coney Barrett on this question at her hearing.

We need to know whether Trump's nominee believes state legislators can simply appoint new pro-Trump Electors.

I talked to @dorfonlaw about this:

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…

@dorfonlaw @tribelaw 5) Barrett would likely dodge the question, as @dorfonlaw tells me.

But this is an extraordinary situation. Trump has *told us* he expects SCOTUS to help him do something like this.

Barrett *could* take this off the table. We should at least try this:

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…

@dorfonlaw @tribelaw 6) I don't know if Trump will try this. But he left the possibility open. And some Rs are openly discussing it.

If you are someone who sneers that Trump is a failed authoritarian, you should *want* to see Amy Coney Barrett take this off the table. FIN

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…