What the January 6 Hearings are Actually About

Jun 22, 2022

The role of state legislatures in Donald Trump’s attempt to steal the presidency was laid out for us all in excruciating detail during the January 6th Committee hearing on June 21st.

We learned how state lawmakers were pressured by Trump’s legal team to ignore their own voters, ignore the constitution and the rule of law, bypass any semblance of ethics, and appoint electors for Trump.

As Daniel notes in the video above, if they had been successful in overtaking the electoral college it would have meant that our votes no longer mattered — it would have meant the end of our democracy.

Trump and his cronies have clearly signaled that they do not intend to lose the presidency in 2024. Since 2020 they have continued to lay the groundwork to ensure that rightwing state majorities have the power to appoint the electors they choose for president.

We cannot let that happen. Not when we can see so clearly what they intend to do, and know that if we can shift power in this election we will have the means to stop them.

It will not be easy, but we are talking about hundreds of votes in the districts with the narrowest margins, in states where less than five seats in a chamber will give our democracy a fighting chance.

We’re on the ground right now in the states where we see a path to shift or defend power in a legislative chamber this November.

Are you with us?

Related Articles

Democrats Argue That the 2024 Election Actually Had Its Bright Spots

Dec 13, 2024

The States Project logo

State legislatures 2026: the six tossup chambers that could flip

Sep 14, 2026

New York Mag logo

Fighting Trump’s Agenda Starts in the States

Sep 2, 2026

The States Project logo

Elections should be decided by voters

Aug 30, 2026

Sign Up

State lawmakers have the power to enact policies that can protect millions of Americans, and the overall direction of the country, from the worst impacts of a second Trump presidency.

Ready to work with us in the states? Sign up for our email list to make an impact — right from your inbox:

Are you a lawmaker or legislative staff member?

JOIN US

Ready to work with us in the states? Sign up to make an impact — right from your inbox.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE DELIVERING FOR AMERICANS

on everything from lowering costs to protecting your vote — but only where they have the will and governing power to act. We can’t build power for lawmakers who will deliver without you.

Pennsylvania state capitol building