Trump Lawyers Plot Pennsylvania Last Stand as Michigan Certifies

Campaign is pushing ahead with federal appeal in Philadelphia
Experts say the appeal faces long odds to reach Supreme Court

Workers count ballots for the 2020 Presidential election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 3.
Photographer: Hannah Yoon/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Erik Larson

November 24, 2020 at 12:14 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

With battleground states certifying their election results at a quickening pace, President Donald Trump’s campaign legal team is increasingly focused on the notion that it can roll back certifications by taking a disastrous Pennsylvania ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Michigan certified a victory for President-elect Joe Biden on Monday, following Georgia on Friday and with Pennsylvania set to do so soon as well. A federal judge on Saturday issued a scathing dismissal of a Trump campaign lawsuit seeking to block Pennsylvania’s certification, leading the campaign on Monday to urgently seek relief from the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, from which cases can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and its 6-3 conservative majority.