GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN--It was a great day for democracy in Michigan as an Ingham County judge dismissed criminal charges against 15 Republicans accused of trying to certify that President Trump was the winner of the 2020 election.

“We don’t really care your race, color, creed or national origin, religious beliefs or your political beliefs, but we do care about the law and that we believe that it should be applied to protect every individual equally,” said Circuit Court Judge Kristen Simmons “And I believe that they (the defendants) were executing their constitutional right to seek redress.”

The case began in 2023 when Nessel charged the defendants with eight felony counts each, ranging from forgery to conspiracy and election law violations

Among them was Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood, who said in a statement issued after the verdict, “The entire episode has now been unmasked for what it always was: a partisan ploy to score political points…. the use of state resources to harass law-abiding citizens needs to stop.”

Judge Simmons was appointed to the bench by Governor Whitmer. Her ruling deals a blow to Attorney General Dana Nessel’s political witch hunts.

 “Judge Simmons refused to bend to political pressure and used only the law in making her decision,” said Kent GOP Chair Lynn Afendoulis. “Not long ago, this would have been considered doing her job. Given today’s political interference in legal and other processes, it’s more than that: it’s inspiring, if not courageous. And it’s a boon to every American seeking truth and justice.”

This ruling has broad implications outside of Michigan, signaling a setback for similar prosecutions across several states (Nevada, Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona) and underscores the critical burden of proving criminal intent in election-related cases.

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