White House officials pressured Atlanta’s top federal prosecutor to step down before the second round of the Georgia Senate because President Trump was upset that he was not doing enough to investigate the president’s unproven allegations of electoral fraud, people familiar with the matter said. subject matter.
A senior Justice Department official, at the White House’s request, called Trump-appointed attorney general Byung J. Pak and said he needed to resign because he was not chasing allegations of electoral fraud to Trump’s satisfaction, people said.
Mr Pak abruptly resigned on Monday – the day before the second round – saying in a morning email to colleagues that his departure was due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
The pressure on Pak was part of Trump’s attempt to try to alter the presidential election results in favor of President-elect Joe Biden, who included his victory in Georgia. Trump this week, after the US Capitol rebellion, said he would step down on January 20, when Biden takes office.
Attorney General William Barr said the Justice Department found no evidence of widespread electoral fraud that could reverse Biden’s victory, including allegations of fraud, destruction of ballots and manipulation of electronic ballot boxes.