Master Counter-Action Event Log
1. Dec 11, 2016 — Federal courts dismiss Stein recount lawsuits but affirm recounts may proceed under state law.
Sources: AP; federal docket summaries.
Category: Federal Judicial Review (3).
Why relevant: Judicial validation of recounts as lawful remedies reinforced post-election transparency.
2. Dec 18, 2019 — U.S. House impeaches Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in Ukraine affair.
Sources: Clerk.house.gov roll call.
Category: Constitutional Remedies (5).
Why relevant: Constitutional check against solicitation of foreign election interference.
3. Jul–Aug 2020 — Multiple federal courts enjoin USPS operational changes (E.D. Wash., E.D. Pa., N.D. Cal.).
Sources: CourtListener; NPR; AP.
Category: Federal Civil Enforcement / Injunctions (2/3).
Why relevant: Preserved mail voting capacity by halting disruptive USPS cuts.
4. Sep 2020 — Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan supreme courts clarify ballot receipt and cure deadlines.
Sources: State SC opinions.
Category: State Constitutional Litigation (9).
Why relevant: Reduced vulnerability of ballots to disqualification and nullification campaigns.
5. Oct 19, 2020 — Federal courts uphold Nevada and Pennsylvania early/mail voting rules against Trump campaign suits.
Sources: Federal district opinions.
Category: Federal Judicial Review (3).
Why relevant: Confirmed state discretion to expand voter access during the pandemic.
6. Nov 3–7, 2020 — State and local boards certify results despite Trump pressure (MI, AZ, NV).
Sources: SOS releases; court orders.
Category: Election Administration Defenses (10).
Why relevant: Institutional actors locked in certified results under pressure.
7. Nov 17, 2020 — Wayne County GOP canvassers reverse refusal to certify after public scrutiny.
Sources: Detroit Free Press; local press.
Category: Election Administration Defenses (10).
Why relevant: Ensured lawful certification at county level despite political coercion.
8. Dec 11, 2020 — Supreme Court dismisses Texas v. Pennsylvania suit (no standing).
Sources: SCOTUS order.
Category: Federal Judicial Review (3).
Why relevant: Eliminated coordinated multi-state attempt to overturn results.
9. Jan 13, 2021 — House impeaches Trump for incitement of insurrection (Jan 6).
Sources: Clerk.house.gov.
Category: Constitutional Remedies (5).
Why relevant: Constitutional check on presidential incitement to disrupt lawful certification.
10. Jan 20, 2021 — Secret Service executes inauguration transition protocols despite Jan 6 unrest.
Sources: DHS; Secret Service.
Category: Transfer-of-Power Safeguards (31).
Why relevant: Operationalized peaceful transfer despite violent attempts to block it.
11. Jan 23, 2021 — DOJ Election Threats Task Force created.
Sources: DOJ press release.
Category: Institutional Integrity / Law Enforcement (6).
Why relevant: Targeted prosecutions for election-worker intimidation threats.
12. Jan 7, 2021 — Twitter permanently suspends Trump’s account for incitement risk.
Sources: ABC; Al Jazeera.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Removed direct communication channel used to inflame post-election unrest.
13. Jan 7, 2021 — Facebook and Instagram restrict Trump’s accounts.
Sources: Facebook Oversight Board documentation.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Immediate removal of presidential disinformation megaphones.
14. Jan 13, 2021 — YouTube suspends Trump’s channel indefinitely for safety risk.
Sources: The Verge; Al Jazeera.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Denied broadcast outlet that could mobilize unrest.
15. Jan 8–10, 2021 — Google, Apple, and AWS suspend/deplatform Parler over violent content.
Sources: The Verge; TechCrunch.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Cut off hub used by extremists for organizing postelection violence.
16. Jan 18, 2021 — UN human rights experts condemn attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
Sources: OHCHR.
Category: Allied-Democracy Pressure (27).
Why relevant: Multilateral condemnation raised reputational costs for Trump.
17. Jan 2021 — Joint Chiefs of Staff issue public letter affirming Biden’s legitimacy and warning against unlawful orders.
Sources: WaPo.
Category: Military Nonpartisanship (25).
Why relevant: Affirmed military resistance to politicized use of armed forces.
18. Jun 25, 2021 — DOJ sues Georgia under the Voting Rights Act (challenging SB 202).
Sources: DOJ press release.
Category: Federal Civil Enforcement (2).
Why relevant: Federal action against restrictive voting law protecting minority access.
19. Nov 4, 2021 — DOJ sues Texas over SB 1 voting restrictions.
Sources: DOJ press release.
Category: Federal Civil Enforcement (2).
Why relevant: Targeted rollback of ballot assistance and mail voting rules.
20. Apr 11, 2022 — CTCL launches U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence ($80M support for local offices).
Sources: CTCL.
Category: Civic Mobilization (33).
Why relevant: Nonpartisan reinforcement of election infrastructure resilience.
21. Nov 2022 — NY AG Letitia James civil fraud case against Trump Org proceeds.
Sources: NY AG press release.
Category: State Civil Enforcement (11).
Why relevant: Civil penalties targeting Trump’s business networks.
22. Dec 1, 2022 — Arizona court orders Cochise County to certify midterm results.
Sources: AP.
Category: State Constitutional Litigation (9).
Why relevant: Judicial enforcement of mandatory certification deadlines.
23. Dec 29, 2022 — Electoral Count Reform Act enacted.
Sources: Congress.gov.
Category: Congressional Checks / Structural Reform (4/11).
Why relevant: Codified VP’s ministerial role and raised objection thresholds.
24. Apr 18, 2023 — Dominion v. Fox settles for $787.5 million.
Sources: Reuters.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement Suits (21).
Why relevant: Landmark penalty for broadcasting known election lies.
25. Aug 14, 2023 — Fulton County, GA indicts Trump + 18 under RICO.
Sources: Fulton County indictment.
Category: State Criminal Prosecution (7).
Why relevant: State charges immune from federal pardon.
26. Jul 18, 2023 — Michigan AG charges 16 false electors.
Sources: MI AG press release.
Category: State Criminal Prosecution (7).
Why relevant: Held Trump allies accountable for elector fraud scheme.
27. 2023 — Michigan implements Prop 2 (early voting, anti-intimidation protections).
Sources: MI Gov press release.
Category: Election Administration Defenses (10).
Why relevant: Structural safeguard against future suppression tactics.
28. 2023 — Aspen Institute Commission on Information Disorder releases report.
Sources: Aspen Institute.
Category: Academic/Think-Tank Planning (34).
Why relevant: Red-team analysis of disinformation threats to democratic processes.
29. Jan 26, 2024 — Jury awards E. Jean Carroll $83.3m in defamation case.
Sources: Reuters.
Category: Civil Enforcement / Defamation (12/23).
Why relevant: Financial penalty for lies reinforcing systemic accountability.
30. Feb 16, 2024 — NY civil fraud judgment against Trump Org.
Sources: AP.
Category: State Civil Enforcement (11).
Why relevant: Hundreds of millions owed; enforced post-presidency.
31. Mar 27, 2024 — John Eastman disbarred in California.
Sources: AP.
Category: Institutional Integrity (6).
Why relevant: Removed legal architect of coup plans from practice.
32. Jul 2, 2024 — Rudy Giuliani disbarred in New York.
Sources: AP.
Category: Institutional Integrity (6).
Why relevant: Disciplinary sanction for role in fraudulent election litigation.
33. Jul 5, 2024 — Wisconsin Supreme Court reverses 2022 drop-box ban.
Sources: WI SC opinion.
Category: State Constitutional Litigation (9).
Why relevant: Expanded ballot access in a critical swing state.
34. Sept 2024 — Smartmatic settles with Newsmax (~$40m).
Sources: Law&Crime.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Additional financial accountability for false 2020 claims.
35. Dec 2024 — G7 reaffirms commitment to democratic institutions.
Sources: US State Department.
Category: Allied-Democracy Pressure (27).
Why relevant: Sustained allied diplomatic signal against democratic backsliding.
36. Jan 16, 2025 — Giuliani resolves enforcement dispute; agrees not to defame Freeman & Moss.
Sources: Reuters.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Converts verdict into enforceable restrictions on repeat defamation.
37. Mar 25, 2025 — Federal court preliminarily enjoins Trump EO requiring proof-of-citizenship voting.
Sources: ACLU.
Category: Federal Civil/APA Challenge (2/3).
Why relevant: Blocked disenfranchising executive order.
38. Mar 14, 2025 — G7 issues statement on defending rule of law and democracy.
Sources: US State Department.
Category: Allied-Democracy Pressure (27).
Why relevant: Diplomatic deterrent against erosion of U.S. democratic norms.
39. Jun 16, 2025 — Colorado jury orders Mike Lindell to pay $2.3m to Coomer for defamation.
Sources: Guardian.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Held prominent Trump ally personally accountable.
40. Jul 2025 — California Gov. Gavin Newsom calls special election to preserve representation.
Sources: CA Gov press release.
Category: Governor Discretionary Powers (15a).
Why relevant: Blunted federal manipulation by ensuring continuous representation.
41. Aug 18, 2025 — Newsmax settles Dominion suit for $67m.
Sources: Reuters; WSJ; AP.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: High-cost settlement for 2020 disinfo campaign.
42. Aug 2025 — EU and NATO issue coordinated statements warning against U.S. democratic backsliding.
Sources: Reuters; EU statement.
Category: Allied-Democracy Pressure (27).
Why relevant: External pressure raises reputational costs for antidemocratic policies.
43. Nov 2020 — Pennsylvania federal court enjoins ballot challenges based on “line of sight.”
Sources: AP; court summary.
Category: Voter Protection Litigation (17).
Why relevant: Blocked attempts to restrict count observers from claiming fraud.
44. 2022 Midterms — Election Protection coalition hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) fields 100k+ calls, litigates AZ TROs vs armed drop-box watchers.
Sources: Democracy Docket; NAACP LDF.
Category: Voter Protection Litigation (17).
Why relevant: Direct voter-support system against intimidation.
45. Oct–Nov 2020 — DOJ Civil Rights Division issues guidance to law enforcement re: armed groups at polls.
Sources: DOJ guidance.
Category: Law Enforcement Posture (20).
Why relevant: Reinforced statutory anti-intimidation rules for elections.
46. 2022 Midterms — State AGs (AZ, NM, PA) warn militias against unlawful “monitoring.”
Sources: State AG press.
Category: Law Enforcement Posture (20).
Why relevant: Preempted paramilitary intimidation.
47. Apr 2024 — NY appellate court upholds Carroll defamation bond requirement ($91m).
Sources: Reuters.
Category: Judgments & Collection (23).
Why relevant: Ensures collection enforcement pending appeal.
48. 2025 — NY AG pursues enforcement of Trump Org civil fraud penalties despite partial relief.
Sources: NY AG filings.
Category: Judgments & Collection (23).
Why relevant: Maintains financial guardrail on Trump Org.
49. Nov–Dec 2020 — GA Gov Kemp and AZ Gov Ducey affirm certifications publicly despite Trump pressure.
Sources: AP; NPR.
Category: Elite Bipartisan Statements (28).
Why relevant: Republican governors bolstered legitimacy of certified results.
50. Dec 2020 — Former DOJ/DHS officials issue open letters affirming no widespread fraud.
Sources: NYT; Federalist Society alumni letters.
Category: Elite Bipartisan Statements (28).
Why relevant: Bipartisan affirmations reinforced lawful outcome against disinformation.
51. Nov 23, 2020 — GSA Administrator Emily Murphy ascertains Biden as “apparent winner,” unlocking transition funds.
Sources: GSA letter; AP.
Category: Transfer-of-Power Safeguards (31).
Why relevant: Operationalized transition despite Trump pressure to delay.
52. Apr 30, 2021 — Newsmax settles with Dominion executive Eric Coomer; issues public apology and retraction.
Sources: Law&Crime; Yahoo News.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Demonstrated legal costs of amplifying false fraud claims.
53. May 5, 2021 — Facebook Oversight Board upholds Trump suspension, orders standards for penalties.
Sources: Oversight Board decision.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Affirmed platform authority to sanction presidents for safety risks.
54. Jun 4, 2021 — Meta converts Trump suspension to a two-year penalty with guardrails.
Sources: Meta press.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Codified conditions for reinstatement based on democratic risk.
55. 2018 — Michigan voters approve Proposal 2 creating independent redistricting commission.
Sources: Bridge Michigan; Ballotpedia.
Category: Independent Commissions (16).
Why relevant: Structural reform insulating maps from partisan capture.
56. 2020 — Virginia voters approve constitutional amendment for independent redistricting commission.
Sources: WaPo; Ballotpedia.
Category: Independent Commissions (16).
Why relevant: Another state structural reform against partisan gerrymanders.
57. 2021 — Colorado enacts permanent risk-limiting audit statute.
Sources: CO SOS; Brennan Center.
Category: Audit Standards (19).
Why relevant: Institutionalized postelection audit requirements.
58. 2022 — Nevada codifies uniform ballot-cure period (AB321).
Sources: NV Legislature.
Category: Audit/Chain-of-Custody Standards (19).
Why relevant: Protected voters from arbitrary ballot disqualification.
59. 2021 — Colorado law criminalizes interference with election workers.
Sources: CO legislative record.
Category: State Legislative Guardrails (15).
Why relevant: Protected election staff from intimidation.
60. 2023 — Minnesota omnibus law expands voter access and protects drop boxes.
Sources: MN Legislature.
Category: State Legislative Guardrails (15).
Why relevant: Countered restrictive trends; fortified access.
61. 2022 — New Mexico adopts risk-limiting audits statewide.
Sources: NM SOS.
Category: Audit Standards (19).
Why relevant: Increased confidence in results.
62. 2023 — California expands ballot-cure period.
Sources: CA Legislature.
Category: Audit Standards (19).
Why relevant: Protected lawful voters from clerical disqualification.
63. 2022–23 — Insurers cut off coverage for entities tied to Jan 6 lawsuits.
Sources: Reuters; AP business coverage.
Category: Donor/Corporate Norms (24).
Why relevant: Market constraints on insurrection-linked actors.
64. 2020 DOJ IG report examines election interference pressure on DOJ leadership.
Sources: DOJ IG.
Category: Institutional Integrity (6).
Why relevant: Documented abuses, reinforcing accountability.
65. 2023 — State bar referrals proceed against Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro.
Sources: State bar dockets.
Category: Institutional Integrity (6).
Why relevant: Professional discipline for fraudulent election claims.
66. 2022 — CREW litigation compels DOJ records on Trump pressure.
Sources: CREW press release.
Category: Investigative Journalism/FOIA (32).
Why relevant: Transparency into election interference attempts.
67. 2023 — ProPublica report on local election board resignations due to threats.
Sources: ProPublica.
Category: Investigative Journalism (32).
Why relevant: Publicized intimidation impacts on election administration.
68. 2020–21 — Transition Integrity Project conducts postelection crisis war-games.
Sources: TIP report.
Category: Academic/Think-Tank Red-Teaming (34).
Why relevant: Provided foresight that anticipated Trump’s strategies.
69. 2022–23 — Brennan Center publishes model state laws for certification deadlines and worker protections.
Sources: Brennan Center.
Category: Academic/Think-Tank Planning (34).
Why relevant: Supplied legal blueprints to state legislatures.
70. Apr 2021 — Ruby Freeman & Shaye Moss sue Rudy Giuliani for defamation.
Sources: Court filings.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Targeted lies that endangered election workers.
71. Dec 15, 2023 — Jury awards Freeman & Moss $148M vs. Giuliani.
Sources: Protect Democracy.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Landmark deterrent judgment against defaming election staff.
72. Jan 16, 2025 — Giuliani agrees not to defame Freeman & Moss (enforcement).
Sources: Reuters.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Enforceable constraint on repeat offenses.
73. Jun 16, 2025 — Colorado jury awards $2.3M to Eric Coomer vs. Mike Lindell.
Sources: Guardian.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Expanded accountability to individual promoters.
74. Aug 18, 2025 — Newsmax settles Dominion case for $67M.
Sources: Reuters; WSJ.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Sustained financial deterrence for 2020 lies.
75. Sept 2024 (revealed Mar 2025) — Smartmatic settles with Newsmax (~$40M).
Sources: Law&Crime.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Added financial consequence for disinformation.
76. Ongoing 2025 — Smartmatic v. Fox proceeds in NY.
Sources: Court filings.
Category: Defamation/Disparagement (21).
Why relevant: Keeps litigation channel open against major outlet.
77. Nov 2020 — PA federal court enjoins ballot-observer “line of sight” restrictions.
Sources: AP.
Category: Voter Protection Litigation (17).
Why relevant: Blocked attempts to weaponize observer rules.
78. Oct–Nov 2020 — DOJ Civil Rights Division guidance to law enforcement re: militias.
Sources: DOJ.
Category: Law Enforcement Posture (20).
Why relevant: Reinforced bans on intimidation.
79. 2022 Midterms — State AGs warn militias not to monitor polls.
Sources: AZ AG press.
Category: Law Enforcement Posture (20).
Why relevant: Deterrent against unlawful presence.
80. 2022–24 — Election Protection coalition fields multilingual hotlines, secures TROs vs. intimidation.
Sources: NAACP LDF; Election Protection.
Category: Civic Mobilization (33).
Why relevant: Civil-society infrastructure for voters.
81. Apr 2024 — NY appellate court upholds Carroll bond requirement ($91M).
Sources: Reuters.
Category: Judgments & Collection (23).
Why relevant: Sustained enforcement pressure.
82. 2025 — NY AG pursues enforcement of Trump Org fraud penalties despite appellate relief.
Sources: NY AG.
Category: Judgments & Collection (23).
Why relevant: Maintained civil constraints.
83. Nov–Dec 2020 — GA Gov Kemp and AZ Gov Ducey affirm certifications.
Sources: AP; NPR.
Category: Elite Bipartisan Statements (28).
Why relevant: GOP governors bolstered certified outcomes.
84. Dec 2020 — Former DOJ/DHS officials issue open letters affirming no widespread fraud.
Sources: NYT.
Category: Elite Bipartisan Statements (28).
Why relevant: Bipartisan elite consensus countered disinformation.
85. 2022 — Bipartisan Policy Center & states expand poll-worker training standards.
Sources: BPC report.
Category: Poll-Worker Standards (18).
Why relevant: Professionalized workforce against intimidation.
86. 2024 — Power the Polls relaunches for expanded recruitment.
Sources: Power the Polls press.
Category: Civic Mobilization (33).
Why relevant: Addressed poll-worker shortages exploited by partisan watchers.
87. 2022 — LDF “Democracy Defended” report documents voter-protection efforts.
Sources: LDF.
Category: Civic Mobilization (33).
Why relevant: Legal-defense mobilization protecting access.
88. 2021 — Colorado law establishes election-worker protections.
Sources: CO Legislature.
Category: State Legislative Guardrails (15).
Why relevant: Protected election staff against threats.
89. 2023 — California expands ballot-cure period protections.
Sources: CA Legislature.
Category: Audit Standards (19).
Why relevant: Reduced arbitrary disenfranchisement.
90. 2021 — Meta converts Trump suspension to time-bound two years with guardrails.
Sources: Meta.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Locked in platform accountability.
91. Nov 14, 2021 — NATO Secretary-General calls Jan 6 attack on NATO values.
Sources: Axios.
Category: Allied Pressure (27).
Why relevant: Allied framing of democratic norms.
92. Nov 26, 2024 — G7 foreign ministers reaffirm defense of rule of law.
Sources: State Department.
Category: Allied Pressure (27).
Why relevant: Allied deterrent against democratic erosion.
93. 2022–23 — Stanford Internet Observatory red-teams 2022 disinfo threats.
Sources: Stanford report.
Category: Academic/Think-Tank (34).
Why relevant: Forecasted misinfo vectors.
94. 2024 — YouTube issues U.S. election protection policy update (AI, labels, authoritative sources).
Sources: YouTube blog.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Reduced reach of synthetic disinfo.
95. 2024 — Meta rolls out AI-content labeling for elections.
Sources: Meta blog.
Category: Platform Enforcement (22).
Why relevant: Mitigated deepfake risk in election season.
96. 2021 — OSCE Parliamentary Assembly condemns Jan 6 violence.
Sources: OSCE press.
Category: Allied Pressure (27).
Why relevant: Applied external norms to U.S. crisis.
97. 2021 — DOJ sues Texas over restrictive voting law SB1.
Sources: DOJ.
Category: Federal Civil Enforcement (2).
Why relevant: Protected access.
98. 2021 — DOJ sues Georgia over SB202.
Sources: DOJ.
Category: Federal Civil Enforcement (2).
Why relevant: Countered restrictive state law.
99. 2022 — Protect Democracy & ACLU hotlines litigate intimidation TROs.
Sources: NGO reports.
Category: Civic Mobilization (33).
Why relevant: Direct voter protection.
100. 2021 — Senate confirms Biden AG Merrick Garland; DOJ independence restored.
Sources: Senate roll call.
Category: Congressional Checks (4).
Why relevant: Restored DOJ commitment to rule of law.
101. 2022 — UN Human Rights Council debates threats to democracy, citing Jan 6 as negative model.
Sources: UNHRC transcript.
Category: Allied Pressure (27).
Why relevant: Multilateral shaming raised costs of backsliding.
102. 2023 — Michigan false electors indicted under state law.
Sources: MI AG.
Category: State Criminal Prosecution (7).
Why relevant: Accountability for elector fraud scheme.
103. 2023 — Wisconsin court orders clerks to count absentee ballots despite GOP objections.
Sources: WI court docket.
Category: State Constitutional Litigation (9).
Why relevant: Ensured full ballot tally.
104. 2025 — Brennan Center issues model law toolkit for states on election worker protection.
Sources: Brennan Center.
Category: Academic/Think-Tank (34).
Why relevant: Provided legislative blueprints to counter threats.