On February 21st, the Supreme Court dismissed a case that aimed to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The court declined to hear a request for rehearing filed by Raland Brunson, a Utah resident who initiated the lawsuit. No explanation was provided for their decision, nor was a vote tally disclosed.
Brunson and his brothers initially brought the case in Utah in 2021, alleging that members of Congress had violated their oaths of office by neglecting to investigate evidence of 2020 election fraud and certifying electoral votes for President Joe Biden. In their view, this constituted a rigged election that held the same consequences as war.
The case was subsequently moved to federal court, where the brothers requested that the judiciary remove Biden from office. Had this been successful, it would have led to former President Donald Trump being sworn back into office, according to court records.
Brunson later submitted a petition for rehearing, requesting that the court reconsider their initial decision. In his 10-page filing, Brunson argued that the court should accept the case on the grounds that no courts have determined that failure to adhere to the Oath of Office is subject to penalties. The filing also claimed that the allegedly rigged election had resulted in a national security breach that demanded immediate repair.
When a case like this one comes forward under a petition for writ of certiorari claiming that there exists a serious national security breach, and that this breach is an act of war, and that it requires an act on an emergency level to repair this breach immediately—to stop this war, and that those perpetrators of this breach are the respondents, doesn’t this Court have the power to adjudicate these serious claims and to immediately end the conflict and fix the national security breach?” the petition inquired.
Steve Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law, had anticipated that the justices would reject Brunson’s rehearing petition. In response to the news, he tweeted: “To the surprise of exactly no one who understands what they’re talking about, the frivolous rehearing petition from SCOTUS’s denial of the frivolous cert. petition trying to ’reinstate’ President Trump was denied this morning without comment.
The Brunson brothers have not yet released a statement regarding the second rejection of their case. In an earlier announcement, they expressed optimism and determination in the face of ongoing challenges, saying: “As we observe Presidents’ Day this year, there is much turmoil in our great country. However, we are inspired and hopeful as we await future decisions on our case efforts. As we continue our fight for the good of America, we are reminded of all of the incredible men who have served as President, and are anxiously looking forward to the day greatness returns to the Office of the President.