John Kincaid, Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Professor of Government and Public Service, widely quoted about Pennsylvania's role in former president's indictment
CBS Philadelphia quoted Prof. John Kincaid in its report about Pennsylvania’s role in the indictment of former President Donald Trump, who pleaded not guilty on Thursday (8/3) to federal felony charges that he tried to undo his presidential election loss.
The news report notes that the indictment cites Pennsylvania as one of seven states where Trump and others planned to install a slate of Republican electors to replace the Democratic electors approved by the state’s voters. Kincaid, Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Professor of Government and Public Service, said the fake electors included a statement in their certificates that they would be valid electors only if approved by a court. This statement might spare them from criminal prosecution.
Kincaid said that getting a conviction of Trump will be an uphill battle, partly because the indictment has important freedom-of-speech implications.
Trump’s trial and appeal will likely go on for years, beyond the 2024 election, Kincaid told CBS Philadelphia, adding that Pennsylvania, a traditional swing state, could influence the outcome of the next presidential election.
“It’s a very frightening prospect for future elections because there will be all of these kinds of contests over the outcome,” Kincaid said.