President Donald Trump remains adamant in his denial of the reality that President-elect Joe Biden defeated him in the 2020 presidential election.
The outgoing President's campaign has deployed multiple lawsuits (losing 39 of 40 cases) and pressured Republican-led legislatures in swing states to overturn the results. This is all in addition to the President's weeks-long stream of lies about widespread voter fraud tipping the race to Biden.
With these efforts failing, Trump-loyal Republican lawmakers are scrambling to see another four years of the Trump era become reality.
On December 14, electors from all 50 states are set to meet and cast electoral votes for presidential candidates based on their state's election results. Biden is slated to receive 306 electoral votes, well over the 270 vote majority required to take the White House.
On January 6, Vice President Mike Pence will oversee a joint session of the 117th Congress where he'll read the electoral votes aloud. If there are no objections, the election is certified nationally. If one member of the Senate and one member of the House objects, the results will go into deliberation that is all but certain not to overturn the results.
Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL) confirmed to Politico that he plans to voice dissent against the results, saying:
"In my judgment, if only lawful votes by eligible American citizens were cast, Donald Trump won the Electoral College by a significant margin, and Congress's certification should reflect that. This election was stolen by the socialists engaging in extraordinary voter fraud and election theft measures."
He went on to say that he's discussed joining forces with other Trump-loyal Republicans in the Senate to force a deliberation.
Twitter users largely dismissed the futile effort as a way for Brooks to further ingratiate Trump and his base.
The House determines its own membership. Should we swear-in @RepMoBrooks if thinks the election he also was voted in on was fraudulent? https://t.co/Vb4PjBrQz6
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) December 2, 2020
Absent competing slates of electors, this is just a PR stunt. Under 3 U.S.C. § 15, Brooks would ultimately need a *majority* of the Senate to endorse his challenge; and when (not if) the House disagrees, the electors certified by "the executive of the State ... shall be counted." https://t.co/uB454JuInE
— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) December 2, 2020
Not hard to imagine a world where you vote to challenge the results as a way to signal your undying loyalty to Trump in the hopes that it gives you a leg up in 2024, only to have Trump run again and cite the vote as evidence he really won the election and deserves another go. https://t.co/r7B5vLSBVV
— Jacob Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) December 2, 2020
Here's the next opportunity for GOP members of Congress to try to flatter Trump and avoid a midterm primary challenge by undermining public faith in democratic elections. https://t.co/EGWb2XtG7z
— Seth Masket (@smotus) December 2, 2020
So, Mo Brooks will make Republicans look even more unhinged and like sore losers while putting GOP senators in the difficult position of being silent and choosing inaction for this parliamentary procedure? Brilliant move, Congressman. https://t.co/gLL4AMCB74
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) December 2, 2020
Would imagine this will turn out no differently than House liberals' attempts to do this with Trump and Bush 43. https://t.co/ZC1KBCLm55
— Jim Antle (@jimantle) December 2, 2020
It hasn't done much to help Brooks' reputation.
Before Trump a Republican candidate down ballot at least had a shot at earning my vote. Never again. https://t.co/tcKgl4tIFW
— Julia (@Julia_In_FL) December 2, 2020
Damn they just can't accept loss and it's getting alarming ... https://t.co/Ew7WpkPLmW
— Tifanny ✨ (@gracelove_xoxo) December 2, 2020
An utterly outrageous act. https://t.co/YlDOXpCEDo
— Steve Koczela (@skoczela) December 2, 2020
President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be inaugurated on January 20th.
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