Officials criticize Trump for allegations of election fraud

Some Republicans joined other officials in swiftly condemning President Trump’s latest false claims that fraudulent votes robbed him of a reelection victory in critical states where Joe Biden appeared to be winning.

“There is no defense for the president’s comments tonight that undermine our Democratic process,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, tweeted shortly after Trump spoke from the White House meeting room.

“The United States is counting the votes, and we must respect the results as we have always done before. No election or person is more important than our democracy.”

In televised remarks to reporters, Trump said, without providing any evidence of wrongdoing: “If legal votes count, I win easily. If illegal votes count, they can try to steal the election from us.”

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, also tweeted a response to counter the president’s messages over the past two days that states should stop counting votes.

“The votes will be counted,” Romney said. “If wrongdoing is alleged, they will be investigated and ultimately resolved in court. Have faith in our democracy, our Constitution, and the American people.”

A Democratic congresswoman and former CIA analyst from Michigan, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, wrote on Twitter that it was time for elected officials from the local level to Trump’s cabinet to choose between “loyalty to President Trump or democracy.” Senior Republican officials should speak out against the president, he said, “to make it clear that they will not participate in attempts to thwart the will of the voters.”

“History is presenting real test for people who have downplayed the president’s undemocratic words and deeds,” said Slotkin. “Leaders can no longer shirk their responsibilities to our democracy. These responsibilities are greater than one man or one party.”

CNN’s Daniel Dale, who has a large following on social media after years of fact-checking Trump, tweeted: “I have read or seen all Trump speeches since 2016. This is the most dishonest speech he has ever given. “.

Ellen Weintraub, chair of the Federal Election Commission and a Democrat, urged the president to stop making false claims.

“Enough, Mr. President. Enough. Throwing conspiracy theories about this election will not change the results,” he tweeted. “Your lies undermine our democracy and harm our country. Just stop.”