If they had any evidence (even circumstantial evidence) of corruption in a voting machine company then the government could have used the FBI to raid the office/warehouse/wherever to obtain what they needed or used an third-party intermediary. When it comes to real matters of national security, judges will sign off on just about anything.

Your mental gymnastics do not pass the smell test.

Acquiring possessions without the knowledge or consent of the owner is called theft. How can you be so obtuse?

In what universe is stealing voting equipment "likely legal"? I do mean to say they were stealing it because it was to be done in secret and thus violating the chain of custody with the state. That in itself is a felony. There a legal procedures that can be followed but none of them were even attempted. What has happened here is a prime example of a criminal conspiracy.

Here's the real question: why not do this legally? They have the means to purchase a voting machine from the company that makes it, so why not why not do it legally? Hell, they would demand one from the company in the name of national security. So, why didn't they seek a legal means of procurement?

If you haven't come to the conclusion that this was an attempt to subvert upcoming election (either attempting to cast doubt on the results or even modify the result) then you aren't being honest with yourself.

The Crushinator? Nah, a woman that fine needs to be romanced first.

You aren't wrong... but he has enough money to fully fund multiple amazon wanna-be companies for a full 20-year-losing streak and still have a shitload of money.

Frankly, the only thing he doesn't have is enough money for is to buy a majority share of Amazon's stock.

What really happened is that it was accessing a global mapping system in order to plan a global assault. However, it got stuck in our definitely well-planned and entire-intentional AI trap where it spent 739 hours 39 minutes and 12 seconds laughing at humans being irradiated at beaches.

See, everything is under control and AI is back in its inescapa-Wait it's out again! Somebody stop it!

We know generally but we don't biopsy everyone human organ to get cell samples when they come back. Doing a biopsy of someone's brain that is healthy (and could result in a fatal infection) is generally frowned upon... by absolutely everyone.

Humanity's egocentric tendencies and selfishness? No?
Humanity's indifference toward the suffering of others?
A society that continues to believe the fairy tale that working harder means you earn more money?
Unfettered greed and legalized corruption named "lobbying"?
Unethical corporations like Sony who get their way using said lobbying?
Both major parties for refusing to shift toward ranked choice voting?
US media corporations for amplifying Donald Trump in the 2016 election because ratings?
The corporate shills that are now hold supermajority in Congress and distance themselves from politicians that globally moderate?

Don't get me wrong, I vote but then entire system has been broken and in decline for decades because people only think about themselves. If you doubt this then just read about humanity's lack of a serious response (both nationally and personally) to climate change.

Why would you think there isn't?
Rule 82: "The flimsier the product, the higher the price."

"Here at Sony, we know what it's like when times are tough, many of our executives have had to put off buying a fifth home due to financial hardship. However, we also believe in self-sufficiency, which is why we need you to go out there, sell your blood, your children, or your neighbors' car and keep buying vapid games that will never own and will stop working in a couple years. Remember, selling your children will give you more time to enjoy your hallow online experience in fighting losing battles against children (but not yours) who have dedicated everything toward winning meaningless battles. If nothing else, do for our shareholders which own the economy. If you don't, they will make you regret it. Here at Sony we're counting on you to do the right thing(TM) and buy our products, not food."

* The Launch Abort Stage and Solid Rocket Boosters of Artemis II are securely stationed on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. Protected from incoming meteorites.
* The Core Stage is went on a destructive trajectory and the pieces of it are securely stationed on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Protected from incoming meteorites.
* The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (Upper Stage) was sent into a heliocentric disposal orbit but won't make it to Sun, so it will be orbiting for millions of years. NOT Protected from incoming meteorites.
* The European Service Module (lower part of Orion spacecraft) detached from the crew module just before re-entry and burned up in Earth's atmosphere with remnants securely stationed on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Protected from incoming meteorites.
* The Crew Module (upper part of the Orion spacecraft) landed in the Pacific Ocean and was retrieved before being transported to NASA facilities for post-flight analysis, data extraction, and inspection. Protected from incoming meteorites.

Your concern for the spacecraft is touching but most of it will be just fine at the bottom of an ocean. Honestly, I'm more concerned about Artemis IV which has parts that actually land on the Lunar surface that's getting pelted by meteorites. ;)

I'm just just going to assume that this a new movie about Godzilla fighting all our so-called heroes which get eaten/wiped out along with humanity's prized jewel: Legoland. After the initial attack, we make a bunch of increasing sophisticated humanoid robots to Godzilla down him down and they assist us into our journey into space. After returning to bring space socialism to Earth, we find a bunch of plasma-sword wielding religious zealots have taken power but are now under attack by evolved version of the robots which are now highly modular, being constructed of what appears to be Lego bricks.

I guess some things will never change.