Setback for Mike Lindell
In a setback for Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow and a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, the United States Supreme Court rejected his appeal. Lindell had been attempting to prevent investigators from confiscating his phone in a case related to alleged interference with voting machines in Colorado during the 2020 presidential election.
Violated
Lindell argued that seizing his phone violated his Constitutional rights, a stance that had already been dismissed by U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Ralph Erickson.
Vocal advocate
Lindell has been a vocal advocate of Trump’s unverified assertions that widespread voter fraud contributed to his defeat in the 2020 election.
40 million
He has disclosed spending $40 million on unsuccessful legal endeavors to challenge the election outcome, leading to financial difficulties as certain retailers have opted to discontinue selling his pillow brand.
September 2022
In September 2022, Lindell recounted an incident where FBI agents surrounded him at a Hardee’s restaurant and demanded his phone.
Interrogated
Subsequently, he was interrogated by the FBI regarding Tina Peters, a Colorado official facing charges for allegedly tampering with election equipment and breaching a voting security system.
Trial
While Peters was slated for trial in February, it has been postponed, as reported by Colorado Public Radio.
Lindell’s assertions
Judge Erickson dismissed Lindell’s assertions that the phone seizure breached his constitutional rights in September 2023.
Constitutional rights
“Lindell’s irritation as to where and how the government took possession of his cell phone does not give rise to a constitutional claim, let alone a showing of a callous disregard for his constitutional rights,” Erickson wrote.
Weaponization
Lindell appealed that decision to the Supreme Court. His appeal raises questions of the alleged “weaponization of the judicial process in political combat,” warning the decision would “serve as further confirmation in the view of many that justice in the United States is simply a function of the predilections and prejudices of the judiciary.”
Declined
However, on Monday, the Supreme Court released a list of cases for which it declined to grant a writ of certiorari, with Lindell’s case among them. The court usually refrains from providing reasons for denying cases.
MyPillow
Newsweek attempted to contact MyPillow for a response via email.
Election fraud
Lindell has additionally called on the Supreme Court to consider arguments in a different case related to his apprehensions about election fraud.
Lawsuit
In March, he requested the Supreme Court to expedite a lawsuit contesting the utilization of electronic tabulation systems in elections leading up to the November presidential election.
Explosive
In his submission, he claimed that this case would present “explosive” evidence regarding the 2020 election that he believes will have a profound impact worldwide. However, the court has not indicated whether it will consider hearing the case.