As votes continue to be counted in multiple battleground states, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, past and present politicians are speaking up either for or against President Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning the election.
Over the last days, the president has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election and demanded a halt in the count of votes.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, the president tweeted, "I easily WIN the Presidency of the United States with LEGAL VOTES CAST. The OBSERVERS were not allowed, in any way, shape, or form, to do their job and therefore, votes accepted during this period must be determined to be ILLEGAL VOTES. U.S. Supreme Court should decide!"
This morning, Gov. Henry McMaster released the following statement: "The law is clear: All legal votes must be counted, and all illegal or fraudulent votes discarded. President Trump has a right – and a duty – to see that this happens. I entirely support his efforts to ensure that the law is followed and enforced to the letter. It is only through accuracy and transparency that the American people can have confidence in this election."
In an email to his constituents, Congressman Jeff Duncan echoed the governor's sentiments and said "Right now, America’s focus is on ensuring that every legal vote is counted and that any attempt to steal the election is stopped in its tracks."
In a tweet this morning, SC Senator Tim Scott said every legally cast vote should be and will be counted and that allegations of fraud must be thoroughly vetted and investigated.
Senator Lindsey Graham told Sean Hannity on his Fox News Program last night the White House would do a presentation to GOP senators Saturday detailing their allegation of voter fraud.
Also this morning, former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford tweeted a similar, yet differing opinion, saying "Given the reckless comments by the president last night on ending the counting of votes, it's vital all of us as Republicans speak up in condemning this notion. Every vote counts. Our institutions and democratic traditions are the glue that has held us together for 244 years.
Other Republicans have denounced aspects Trump's remarks; former Senator Rick Santorum commented on CNN that while the president has points about transparency, the president must advocate for the integrity of the democratic process rather than casting it into doubt.
Senator Mitt Romney similarly said "The President is within his rights to request recounts, to call for investigation of alleged voting irregularities where evidence exists, and to exhaust legal remedies - doing these things is consistent with our election process. He is wrong to say that the election was rigged, corrupt and stolen - doing so damages the cause of freedom here and around the world, weakens the institutions that lie at the foundation of the Republic, and recklessly inflames destructive and dangerous passions."
