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WASHINGTON: Some Republicans are breaking with President Donald Trump’s attempts to falsely declare victory in the election and claim without evidence that Democrats are trying to “steal” it. Trump escalated those accusations late on Thursday (Nov. 5), telling reporters at the White House that the scrutiny process is unfair and corrupt.
Trump did not back up his claims with any details or evidence, and state and federal officials have not reported any cases of widespread voter fraud.
Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who spoke at a recent Trump campaign rally, did not address Trump directly, but said in a tweet Thursday night that if any candidate believes that “a state is breaking the laws electoral authorities, he has the right to challenge it in judging and presenting evidence in support of his claims ”.
Rubio previously said: “Taking days to count votes cast legally is NOT fraud. And judicial challenges to votes cast after the legal voting deadline is NOT a deletion. “
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Since his retirement, former Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona was more blunt: “No Republican should agree with the president’s statements at this time. Unacceptable. Period.”
Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, a potential 2024 presidential hopeful who has often criticized Trump, said unequivocally: “There is no defense for the president’s comments tonight that undermine our Democratic process. The United States is counting the votes and we must respect the results as we have always done before. “
“No choice or person is more important than our democracy,” Hogan said on Twitter.
Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney did not directly address Trump’s comments, but instead sought to provide a reassuring note. Counting votes is often “long” and “frustrating,” Romney said.
If wrongdoing is alleged, “they will be investigated and ultimately resolved in court,” Romney tweeted. “Have faith in democracy, our Constitution and the American people.”
Before Trump’s speech in the White House meeting room, several Republicans challenged his attempts to stop the vote counting in Pennsylvania and other battle states. The comments left Trump without key voices of support as he remains behind Democrat Joe Biden in his bid for re-election.
READ: Trump tweets his outrage in capital letters as votes are counted
A protester reads a banner on display at Black Lives Matter Plaza, Nov.5, 2020, in Washington. (Photo: AP / Alex Brandon)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Trump ally who won re-election Tuesday in Kentucky, told reporters that “claiming you won the election is different than ending the count.” His office declined to comment after Trump’s speech Thursday.
Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski urged “everyone to be patient” as the results come in. “It is critical that we give election officials time to complete their work and that we ensure that all legally cast votes are allowed and counted,” the statement said.
Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican, addressed Trump directly on Twitter: “Stop. Full stop, ”he wrote Wednesday in response to Trump’s claim that Democrats were trying to“ steal ”the election.
“The votes will be counted and you will win or lose,” Kinzinger told Trump. And the United States will accept it. Patience is a virtue.”
The comments by Republican lawmakers and other Republican leaders were rare public reprimands of Trump, who has demanded, and generally received, loyalty from fellow Republicans during his four-year term. Most Republicans strive to avoid directly criticizing Trump, even when they find his conduct unhelpful or offensive to their values and goals.
Trump’s tweets declaring victory and asking officials to “STOP the recount” were early proof of how firmly he can hold off Republicans as he tries to challenge the voting process in court.
READ: Trump supporters converge at polling stations in Michigan, Arizona
One Democrat, Senator Chris Murphy, told the Associated Press on Thursday that he hopes Republicans will step up. “I think the Republicans will probably want to give him a day or two to, you know, present their case.”
But, Murphy said, when it becomes clear there is no way for Trump’s bickering, “My hope is that the Republicans will pressure him publicly and privately.
While Biden came close to the 270 Electoral College votes required to win the White House on Thursday, it was unclear when a national winner would be determined after a long and bitter campaign dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on Americans and the national economy.
In remarks Wednesday at the White House, Trump unsubstantiated claiming victory and alleged “gross fraud in our nation” as state election officials continued to count the ballots amid a huge increase in voter turnout.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Trump ally who is an analyst at ABC News, said there was no basis for Trump’s argument. Christie called Trump’s attack on the integrity of the election “a bad strategic decision” and “a bad political decision, and it is not the kind of decision one would expect someone … who occupies the position that he occupies to make.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, said on Fox News Wednesday that while he supports Trump, “if he ends up being Biden, we will all accept him.”
As elected officials, Republicans and Democrats “believe in the rule of law,” DeWine said. “Every vote must be counted. We as a country accept the results of the elections. “
Eric Trump (left), son of President Donald Trump and his wife Lara Trump depart after a press conference on the legal challenges for counting votes in Pennsylvania on November 4, 2020, in Philadelphia. (Photo: AP / Matt Slocum)
The Trump family, who were never shy about voicing their support, took to Twitter to wonder why Republican lawmakers weren’t rushing to defend the president. “Where are the Republicans! Have some backbone. Fight this fraud. Our voters will never forget you if you are your sheep! “Eric, Trump’s son, tweeted.
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican, said the states administer US elections, not the federal government. “We must respect that process and ensure that all votes cast are counted in accordance with state law. It’s that simple, ”Portman said in a statement.
“It’s best for everyone to step back and let the vote counters do their job,” added Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee.
