Trump’s fake Michigan electors face felony charges

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Michigan indicts fake Trump electors on felony charges; Kenya protesters clash with police over the cost-of-living crisis.

Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.

16 Republicans charged in Michigan 2020 election scheme

Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Tuesday filed felony charges against 16 fake Republican electors for attempting to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 loss in the state. [Associated Press / Joey Cappelletti]
• Nessel, a Democrat, alleges the group attempted to submit false certification documents to the federal government to deny President Joe Biden’s win. [New York Times / Danny Hakim, Alexandra Berzon, and Maggie Astor]
• All defendants, including former Michigan GOP chair Meshawn Maddock, face eight counts — including forgery — some of which carry penalties of up to 14 years in prison. [Detroit Free Press / Clara Hendrickson]
• In December 2020, Republicans launched unsuccessful attempts to overturn Biden’s wins in Michigan and six other battleground states. Michigan’s fake electors are the first to face charges. [Washington Post / Patrick Marley]
• The Michigan charges came the same day Trump announced he’s the target of the Justice Department special counsel’s investigation into January 6. [NPR]

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Vox’s Jen Kirby explains the uncertain future of the Ukraine Black Sea grain export deal. [Vox / Jen Kirby]

Kenya’s anti-government protests

• Wednesday, several people were shot and wounded across Kenya as protesters clashed with police over President William Ruto’s tax hikes and the soaring cost of living. [Reuters / Thomas Mukoya and Monicah Mwangi]
• Police fired tear gas in battles with protesters in cities and towns across the country, forcing the closure of Nairobi schools and some businesses. [BBC / Basillioh Rukanga and Anthony Irungu]
• Ruto’s government is facing criticism for raising taxes on fuel; however, it claims the rate hikes will help Kenya create jobs and resolve debts. [Al Jazeera]
• At least 10 people were killed in similar protests last week. Human rights groups and western envoys urged both sides to engage in dialogue and end the violence. [AP / Evelyne Musambi]

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A US soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody after crossing the inter-Korean border during a tour of the Demilitarized Zone. [Vox / Li Zhou]

• Wednesday, a judge denied Donald Trump’s request for a new trial two months after a jury found him liable for $5 million in damages for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. [Politico / Erica Orden]
• Wesleyan University is ending legacy acceptances for children of alumni after the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in college admissions. [NYT / Vimal Patel]
• Country Music Television removed singer Jason Aldean’s "Try That in a Small Town" video from its channel amid criticism that it promoted racial violence. [Guardian / Ben Beaumont-Thomas]

“Undoubtedly, there will be those who claim these charges are political in nature. But where there is overwhelming evidence of guilt in respect to multiple crimes, the most political act I could engage in as a prosecutor would be to take no action at all.”

[Michigan AG Nessel on issuing felony forgery charges / Washington Post]

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