The chairman of Nye County Republican Central Committee posted the letter, which makes a number of unfounded claims about events in the days ahead, to the local party’s website on Friday.
A Democratic lawmaker called the letter “seditious” and another group of Democrats in Nevada issued a “public safety alert” about what it says is the rising threat of more violence in the wake of what happened at the U.S. Capitol.
The letter references 1776, the year of the Declaration of Independence and a seminal moment in the American Revolutionary War, and goes on to say: “Trump will be president for another four years. Biden will not be president.”
Other unevidenced claims include that the president will activate the national emergency broadcast system to send messages directly to the people; that there will be a number of high-profile arrests; and that “bombshell evidence” will be released.
It also calls Lin Wood, the Trump-supporting conspiracy theorist and attorney who called for the execution of Vice President Mike Pence, a “fountain of information and leaks,” and urges people to follow his updates.
Concluding, the letter states: “The next 12 days will be something to tell the grandchildren! It’s 1776 all over again!”
Though it does not contain a signature, the letter is headlined “A Letter from the Nye County Chairman”. The Nye County Chairman is listed as Chris Zimmerman.
U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, a Democrat whose district includes Nye County, tweeted in response to Zimmerman about the letter.
“It’s not 1776 and the failed attempt of a coup involving some Republicans is sedition against the will of the people and our democracy. Any suggestion otherwise is a refusal to accept reality,” Horsford wrote.
“Zimmerman, your seditious letter is now being publicized—suggesting the President-elect will not be inaugurated.
“This effort to intentionally stoke division and incite criminal acts against our government must be rejected and condemned by everyone who believes in our democracy.”
“To date, the failed coup on Jan 6th resulted in 6 deaths, including 2 US Capitol Police Officers.
“I’m calling on my Republican colleagues to condemn Zimmerman’s letter, affirm the election results, and reject any and all forms of insurrection against our federal government.”
Clark County Democrats in Nevada also issued a “public safety alert” following the letter and other activity in the surrounding areas.
“Over the past 48 hours, the online activity on social media has escalated to the point that we must take these threats seriously,” the email from the Democratic chair said, KLAS reported.
“I’ve been in communication with other county chairs across Nevada, and my colleagues are all seeing increasingly bold messaging by white supremacists as they plan more riots during the inauguration.”
The Electoral College certified the election for President-elect Joe Biden and, once the U.S. Capitol riot was brought under control, Congress confirmed his win. Biden will be inaugurated on January 20.
The letter also denied that Trump has conceded the election and accused Pence and the current cabinet members of “treason.”
While the president continues to push his false claims of mass electoral fraud, he did in a statement admit that there would be an “orderly transition on January 20th.” Trump referred to “the end of the greatest first term in presidential history,” hinting at a 2024 run.
An update was shared on the Nye County GOP’s website on January 10, clarifying the original post and saying “there was nothing in the letter that included, implied, or supported anything seditious.”
Newsweek has asked Zimmerman for comment.