search
Sections List
American Journal News

Republicans apparently think only votes for Trump are legal

Even Fox News hosts are pointing out they are wrong.

By Donna Provencher - November 05, 2020
Share
Donald Trump

Members of Donald Trump’s campaign and Republican officials have doubled down on dubious distinctions between “legal” and “illegal” votes as the election outcome remains unclear.

“IF YOU COUNT THE LEGAL VOTES, I EASILY WIN THE ELECTION!” Trump wrote on Thursday in an official statement. “IF YOU COUNT THE ILLEGAL AND LATE VOTES, THEY CAN STEAL THE ELECTION FROM US!”

Though 22 states and the District of Columbia allow for the counting of ballots postmarked before Election Day that arrive after Election Day, many Trump campaign staffers and Republican legislators have similarly cried fraud — in the absence of any evidence.

Trump senior adviser Jason Miller during a press call on Thursday stated that the campaign has established a presence in major contested states with an eye on the election’s outcome.

“We do have people that are on the ground and fighting to make sure that legal ballots are all counted and illegal ballots are not counted,” he said.

In a Fox News interview Wednesday night, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also argued that validly cast mail-in ballots were somehow illegal.

“We believe the American people deserve answers, which is why we are in court currently fighting in Pennsylvania,” said McEnany. “They want to count ballots that come in three days after. We have election days in this country for a reason, because votes are counted on Election Day.”

Host Martha MacCallum pointed out that mail-in ballots and absentee ballots arrive every year after Election Day and are perfectly legal.

“Even if they voted on Nov. 3 in Pennsylvania because they were told that that was OK to do, you’re going to throw their — toss their ballot out if it doesn’t come in until the day after or two days after?” MacCallum asked McEnany.

McEnany said she believed every vote on Election Day should be counted.

“But it’s those that arrive after the Election Day that we are fighting,” she added.

Also on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted a rallying cry.

“Republicans are fighting to make sure that every LEGAL vote is counted accurately,” he wrote.

On Thursday, Trump campaign official Ric Grenell tweeted demanding “transparency” from the state of Nevada — and no more counting of supposedly “illegal” ballots.

“We just finished a press conference announcing a federal lawsuit to stop counting illegal ballots in Nevada,” he said. “Clark County officials must start answering questions as to why. We demand transparency.”

Also on Thursday, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee railed against “illegal ballots” on Twitter, by which he presumably meant ones cast for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

“As Americans, we want all ballots to be verified as legal and then counted. Illegal ballots should NOT be counted as that robs legal voters of THEIR vote,” tweeted Huckabee.

Former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway appeared on “Fox & Friends” Thursday morning and urged patience.

“Let’s be patient, let’s take a deep breath,” she said. “Let’s count every legal vote. I think it’s a time to be methodical and not emotional.”

Rep. Andy Briggs (R-AZ) tweeted Thursday that “every legal vote should be counted in our elections.”

“Nothing more, nothing less,” he wrote. “The integrity of our elections is on the line, and Americans need maximum transparency and accountability from state and local officials.”

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) also expressed vague concerns about “illegal” votes being counted.

“Every legal vote should be counted – OPENLY & according to election laws,” he tweeted Thursday morning. “With so much at stake, every American should insist election laws be followed. Vote counting should not be conducted in secret, behind closed doors. @realDonaldTrump suing for transparency/following law.”

And Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) seemed incensed at the possibility that Biden might be an “illegal” president.

“It’s in GOP’s AND Dems’ interest to make sure this election is conducted legally and without fraud,” he tweeted early Thursday. “We don’t want Biden to forever have an asterisk next to his name & his legacy remembered as an ‘illegal president.’ That would be terrible for our country! Count every LEGAL vote!”

False accusations of voter fraud are nothing new for the GOP.

Trump in particular has spread lies about the election process on social media for months, made up false claims about widespread mail-in voter fraud, and attempted to stop votes from being counted — long before the election.

But as of yet, the GOP has offered no explanation or evidence to support their vague threats of an “illegal ballot” bogeyman.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


Read More
AJ News
Latest
GOP Rep. Zach Nunn suggests laws against hate crime aren’t needed

GOP Rep. Zach Nunn suggests laws against hate crime aren’t needed

By Jesse Valentine - April 15, 2024
GOP Senate candidate Hung Cao blames racial equity for Baltimore bridge tragedy

GOP Senate candidate Hung Cao blames racial equity for Baltimore bridge tragedy

By Jesse Valentine - March 29, 2024
GOP Rep. Jennifer Kiggans donates thousands to far-right extremists

GOP Rep. Jennifer Kiggans donates thousands to far-right extremists

By Jesse Valentine - March 08, 2024
Ohio senate candidate Bernie Moreno: “Absolute pro-life no exceptions.”

Ohio senate candidate Bernie Moreno: “Absolute pro-life no exceptions.”

By Jesse Valentine - March 07, 2024
Anti-China Republicans pocket thousands from Chinese owned conglomerate

Anti-China Republicans pocket thousands from Chinese owned conglomerate

By Jesse Valentine - March 04, 2024
Republican Eric Hovde makes inconsistent statements about family history

Republican Eric Hovde makes inconsistent statements about family history

By Jesse Valentine - February 26, 2024
Republican David McCormick invests millions in website that platforms Holocaust denial

Republican David McCormick invests millions in website that platforms Holocaust denial

By Jesse Valentine - February 09, 2024
Lawmakers will again take up bills expanding, tightening gun laws

Lawmakers will again take up bills expanding, tightening gun laws

By Annmarie Timmins, New Hampshire Bulletin - January 31, 2024
UAW delivers rousing presidential endorsement for Biden over ‘scab’ Trump

UAW delivers rousing presidential endorsement for Biden over ‘scab’ Trump

By Ashley Murray, States Newsroom - January 24, 2024
Republicans Sam Brown and Jeff Gunter sling mud in Nevada senate primary

Republicans Sam Brown and Jeff Gunter sling mud in Nevada senate primary

By Jesse Valentine - January 17, 2024
A Young Texas Woman Almost Died Due To The Texas Abortion Bans – Now She’s Battling To Save Other Women

A Young Texas Woman Almost Died Due To The Texas Abortion Bans – Now She’s Battling To Save Other Women

By Bonnie Fuller - January 10, 2024
Health care legislation preview: Maryland advocates want to focus on access, patients in 2024 session

Health care legislation preview: Maryland advocates want to focus on access, patients in 2024 session

By Danielle J. Brown, Maryland Matters - January 08, 2024
How GOP senate hopefuls try to excuse the  January 6 insurrection

How GOP senate hopefuls try to excuse the  January 6 insurrection

By Jesse Valentine - January 05, 2024
NH lawmakers will be taking up major voting bills this year. Here are some to watch for.

NH lawmakers will be taking up major voting bills this year. Here are some to watch for.

By Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin - January 04, 2024
Republican US Senate candidates want to make Trump’s tax cuts permanent 

Republican US Senate candidates want to make Trump’s tax cuts permanent 

By Jesse Valentine - December 22, 2023
Rand Paul went all in on the Kentucky governor’s race. It didn’t work.

Rand Paul went all in on the Kentucky governor’s race. It didn’t work.

By - December 15, 2023
Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

By Jesse Valentine - December 08, 2023
Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

By Jesse Valentine - December 07, 2023
Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

By Anna Liz Nichols, Michigan Advance - December 06, 2023
105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

By Jesse Valentine - December 05, 2023
For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - December 04, 2023
Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - November 30, 2023
Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

By Jesse Valentine - November 06, 2023
Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

By Jesse Valentine - November 03, 2023
Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

By Adam Ganucheau, Mississippi Today - October 24, 2023
 Direct mailers distort California Democrat Will Rollins’ record 

 Direct mailers distort California Democrat Will Rollins’ record 

By Jesse Valentine - April 25, 2024
More than half of Republican Jay Ashcroft’s funding comes from outside Missouri

More than half of Republican Jay Ashcroft’s funding comes from outside Missouri

By Jesse Valentine - April 25, 2024
Assisted living home lawsuit, citations add to controversy over Hovde’s nursing home remarks

Assisted living home lawsuit, citations add to controversy over Hovde’s nursing home remarks

By Erik Gunn, Wisconsin Examiner - April 24, 2024
Ohio doctors fear effects of emergency abortion care case set to go before U.S. Supreme Court

Ohio doctors fear effects of emergency abortion care case set to go before U.S. Supreme Court

By Susan Tebben, Ohio Capital Journal - April 23, 2024
President Biden visits Prince William park to talk solar, youth involvement on Earth Day

President Biden visits Prince William park to talk solar, youth involvement on Earth Day

By Charlie Paullin, Virginia Mercury - April 23, 2024
Biden on abortion rights: President expects to give speech Tuesday on new Florida 6-week ban

Biden on abortion rights: President expects to give speech Tuesday on new Florida 6-week ban

By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix - April 22, 2024