WASHINGTON (Reuters). During Trump’s 2020 loss in elections, Donald Trump, then-President, was involved directly in attempts to take over voting machines. Media reports claim that Trump asked his lawyer questions after advisers drafted 2 versions of a similar executive order.

The New York Times quoted three persons familiar with this matter as reporting that Trump ordered Rudy Giuliani on Monday to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to see if the DHS could legal take over voting machines of key swing states.

This effort was made amid two previous reported attempts to seize machines. Trump’s advisers tried to get the Defense Department to confiscate them, and Trump asked Attorney General Bill Barr if the Justice Department could. The Times reported that Barr rejected the idea immediately.

According to CNN and the Times, Trump’s advisors created a second executive order that directed the DHS take over voting machines. CNN and CNN also reported. Politico first reported that the second version called for the Defense Department take control of the machines.

The New York Times described a Trump-inspired push to promote the idea, and cited individuals who were briefed on it or who knew firsthand.

State and local officials oversee the operation of voting machines as well as other elements of U.S. election. Federal participation in elections usually falls under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department. It deals with matters such as violence and civil rights. The Federal Election Commission enforces campaign finance law.

Trump representatives could not be reached immediately for comment.

These reports are the latest to spotlight the efforts of the Republican president and his advisors to reverse the 2020 election that Democrat Joe Biden won with more than 7,000,000 ballots, 306 to 232 votes and a majority in the Electoral College.

Trump lies about his loss in the Nov 2020 election because of widespread fraud, despite numerous court losses and audits that confirm Biden’s win.

This comes as a U.S. House of Representatives panel investigating Trump supporters’ deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6, 2021 is ramping up their efforts in preparation for public hearings that are expected to take place this spring. Trump slammed the House probe on Tuesday.

Trump was impeached by the House, but cleared in the Senate for an inciting attack on the Capitol.

He told an audience in Texas on Saturday that he was open to pardoning those convicted of the attack, which resulted in five deaths and many injuries for police officers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia reports that more than 165 of the people who were detained on federal charges have pleaded guilty.

Trump remains popular among Republicans. On Monday, Trump’s main fundraising group announced that they had over $100 million in cash. Donations have decreased however. Some Republicans however have refused to pardon the attackers.

CNN reported that some of the documents the National Archives had turned over to House investigators were taped. According to CNN, the Archives confirmed in a statement that certain records they received were papers that Trump had torn off.