We’re learning more about the sudden resignation of U.S. Attorney Byung “Bjay” Pak in the waning days of the Trump presidency.
The New York Times reports Pak testified that if he didn’t resign, Trump would have fired him for refusing to support his allegations of voter fraud in the Presidential election in Georgia.
Pak is one of six former Justice Department political appointees given permission by the Biden administration to speak to the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of its investigation into Trump’s unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud, according to Digichat.
The Times based its report on a person familiar with the closed door testimony.
Pak is believed to be the first ever Korean American to hold the position of U.S. Attorney.
Law and Crime reports Trump referred to Pak as a “never Trumper” in a phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. During that call, Trump asked Raffensperger to “find” the 11, 780 votes needed to overturn the election.
Pak resigned on January 4, two days after that phone call.
Emails released by the House in June reveal the pressure that bore down on Pak, reported Talking Points Memo.
Department of Justice official Richard Donoghue emailed Pak January 4 asking him to call “ASAP.”
Another email on January 1 indicated Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen sent Pak’s phone number to top DOJ official Jeffrey Clark who was reportedly plotting an overthrow of DOJ leadership.
Also during this time, Trump allies pushed a conspiracy theory that voting machines were hacked using a “smart thermostat” connected to China.
When Pak resigned, he only cited “unforeseen circumstances.” He had earlier indicated he would stay on at DOJ until the end of the Trump presidency, which is customary for such appointed positions.
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