The witch hunt continues.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections is currently investigating two complaints concerning the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office’s recent hosting of a campaign event for former President Donald Trump. The complaints allege that the sheriff’s office violated the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by using public resources for political purposes. Angela Benander, a spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, confirmed this investigation to Newsweek.
The Michigan Campaign Finance Act stipulates that using public resources for political activities is a misdemeanor. The investigation into the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, including Sheriff Michael Murphy, will determine whether there were any violations. The findings will be published on the Michigan Department of State’s website once the review is complete.
Sheriff Murphy has defended the event, which took place at the sheriff’s office in Howell, Michigan. In a Facebook video posted earlier this week, Murphy described the event as a press conference rather than a political gathering. He stated that former President Trump’s appearance was intended to address issues of safety and crime, not to engage in campaign activities. According to Murphy, around 150 members of the press and some special guests were in attendance, and several surrounding buildings, including two courts and the prosecutor’s office, were closed for the event.
Despite Murphy’s assurances, the event featured Trump speaking from a podium adorned with his campaign logo, and banners reading “Make America Safe Again” were displayed alongside sheriff’s office vehicles. This has led to criticism from residents who argue that the event was inherently political. Comments on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page included concerns about the misuse of public property and resources for partisan purposes. One resident, Christopher Schrader, questioned how a press conference with a presidential candidate could be considered non-political, while another, Juan Swan, expressed disappointment in the sheriff’s department for participating in what he viewed as a political spectacle.
The Trump campaign has been approached for comment regarding the event. It is also noteworthy that Trump faces legal challenges, including a conviction in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments. Although he denies any wrongdoing, legal experts believe that, given the nature of the offense and his status as a first-time offender, prison time is unlikely.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Bureau of Elections will find any violations of campaign finance laws or other legal issues surrounding the event.