Trump Resists Declassifying Documents for 'Stop the Steal' Lawyer

White House officials were left 'speechless' by Venezuelan vote-rigging theory presented to Trump

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:33pm

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A solitary figure, likely a lawyer or government official, sits alone in an empty office or hallway, the room bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, creating a contemplative, cinematic mood.The legal and political fallout from Trump's 'Stop the Steal' efforts continues to cast a long shadow over the former president's legacy.Atlanta Today

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Donald Trump's White House has been pursuing an investigation into alleged 2020 election improprieties, centered around campaign lawyer Kurt Olsen who led Trump's failed 'Stop the Steal' efforts. However, Trump has resisted declassifying some documents and hasn't approved Olsen's full funding request, potentially a sign of wavering confidence in the theories. The breaking point came when Olsen presented a far-fetched Venezuelan vote-manipulation theory, which even Trump officials couldn't take seriously.

Why it matters

Trump's continued efforts to prove the 2020 election was 'stolen' have fueled ongoing divisions and conspiracy theories around the integrity of U.S. elections. This story highlights the limits of those efforts, even within Trump's own team, as officials push back on Olsen's more outlandish claims and Trump himself appears to be cooling on fully endorsing the investigation.

The details

Olsen has briefed Trump on various allegations, demanded the declassification of documents, and requested up to $10 million in funding for his investigation. Prosecutors in Atlanta, Phoenix, and other cities have launched criminal investigations based on his theories. However, Trump has resisted declassifying some documents and hasn't approved Olsen's full funding request. The breaking point came when DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin arranged a meeting between Trump officials and a former CIA officer and a Venezuelan fixer, who presented a slideshow claiming Venezuelan operatives could manipulate U.S. voting machines. Trump officials were left 'speechless' by what they viewed as a waste of time.

  • In 2022, Olsen led Trump's failed 'Stop the Steal' efforts.
  • In March 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported on the latest developments in Trump's election investigation.

The players

Kurt Olsen

A campaign lawyer who led Trump's failed 'Stop the Steal' efforts in 2022 and is now leading an investigation into alleged 2020 election improprieties.

Donald Trump

The former president who continues to push claims that the 2020 election was 'stolen' from him, though he has resisted fully endorsing Olsen's investigation.

Markwayne Mullin

The current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security who arranged a meeting between Trump officials and a former CIA officer and a Venezuelan fixer to present a theory about Venezuelan vote manipulation.

Gary Berntsen

A former CIA officer known for hunting Osama bin Laden who presented the Venezuelan vote-rigging theory to Trump officials.

Martín Rodil

A Venezuelan fixer who presented the Venezuelan vote-rigging theory to Trump officials alongside Gary Berntsen.

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What they’re saying

“They looked at it in horror.”

— Gary Berntsen, Former CIA Officer

What’s next

Prosecutors in Atlanta, Phoenix, and other cities will continue their criminal investigations based on Olsen's theories, though Trump's resistance to fully backing the investigation may limit its momentum.

The takeaway

This story highlights the limits of Trump's efforts to prove the 2020 election was 'stolen,' even within his own team, as officials push back on more outlandish claims and Trump himself appears to be cooling on fully endorsing the investigation. It underscores the ongoing divisions and conspiracy theories around U.S. election integrity that Trump's rhetoric has fueled.