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WASHINGTON (AP) – Some Republican lawmakers on Thursday criticized President Donald Trump’s unfounded claim that Democrats are trying to “steal” the election, saying Trump’s comments undermine America’s political process and the fundamental idea that all Americans should have their vote counted.
Trump, who has complained for weeks about vote-by-mail ballots, stepped up his accusations Thursday night and said at the White House that the ballot 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.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican from Illinois, tweeted that the president’s fraud allegations are “going crazy.” If Trump has “legitimate” concerns about fraud, they should be based on evidence and brought to court, Kinzinger said, adding: “STOP spreading discredited misinformation.”
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.
Other criticisms, although less direct, came from members of Congress. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who spoke at a recent Trump campaign rally, said in a tweet that if any candidate believes that “a state is violating electoral laws, they have the right to challenge it in court and present evidence that back up their 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. “
Sen. Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, the party’s 2012 presidential candidate, tried to deliver 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.”
Comments from 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 calling on officials to “STOP THE COUNT” were proof of how firmly he can hold off Republicans while trying to challenge the voting process in court.
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.
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.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, urged “everyone to be patient” as the results come in. “It is critical that we give election officials time to complete their jobs and that we ensure that all legally cast votes are allowed and counted,” he said in a statement.
Will Hurd, a Republican from Texas who did not seek re-election, called Trump’s comments on corruption “dangerous” and “incorrect.” Trump’s comments undermine America’s political process and “the very foundation on which this nation was built,” Hurd said. . “Every American should have their vote counted.”
While Biden came close to the 270 Electoral College votes needed 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.
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut told The Associated Press early Thursday that he hopes Republicans will step up their response to Trump’s unsubstantiated claims. While Republicans may want to give Trump time to “make his case,” when it’s clear the claims are unfounded, “my hope is that Republicans will lobby him publicly and privately,” Murphy said.
But one of Trump’s top supporters in Congress said he supports efforts to challenge the vote counting process and is donating money to shore up legal challenges. Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS.C., said on Fox News Thursday night that he would donate $ 500,000 to the president’s “legal defense fund” and urged people to go to the Trump campaign website to participate.
Representative Denver Riggleman, a Republican from Virginia who lost a Republican primary this year, addressed Trump directly on Twitter: “Count every vote, yes, but stop the Bravo Sierra, Mr. President, and respect the democratic process that makes America great. United States”. Riggleman, a former Air Force officer, was using a military euphemism for falsehoods.
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 Governor 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 you would expect someone … who occupies the position they occupy to make.”
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.
Some Republican governors responded. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged the president to “keep fighting, exhaust all options.” South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem tweeted that Trump was fighting “rigged electoral systems.”
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said the states administer US elections, not the federal government. “We must respect that process and ensure that all votes cast in accordance with state law are counted. It is that simple,” Portman said in a statement.
“It’s better for everyone to step back and let the vote counters do their job,” added Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.
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Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro in Washington and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
