Trump continued to falsely claim that Biden won the election unfairly because of widespread voter fraud and demanded that Congressional Republicans work to overturn the results. Attorney General William P. Barr acknowledged that the Justice Department had not uncovered any fraud that would have changed the outcome and the Supreme Court, as well as courts in at least eight major states across the country, refused or rejected the disputes undertaken by the Trump campaign in an attempt to throw away election results. These challenges did not come close to dropping the results in a single state.
Still, there is a substantial division in the party. Although a steady stream of Republicans in the House has announced his willingness to oppose the electoral votes of critical states, Hawley is the first senator to do so. He hinted on Wednesday that other senators could soon join in his efforts, telling reporters that “several offices have contacted ours through officials and said, ‘We are interested.'”
On Thursday, he released a fundraising speech highlighting his plan. “We need to ensure that a vote means a vote in America,” read the message, positioned next to a photo of Hawley and Trump. “I intend to challenge the results of the Electoral College on January 6, but I need your help.”
It is unclear how many – if any – of his colleagues in the Senate will join him.
But it is already creating a kind of test for Republicans and their allies, who are being forced to take sides and support Trump or reject their efforts to overturn the election.
His announcement on Wednesday was met with a distinct lack of enthusiasm in many conservative circles. Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican and majority leader, discouraged lawmakers from opposing the results, arguing that a challenge would force senators to officially challenge Trump or reject voters’ will.
And in a private conference call on Thursday with Senate Republicans, Pennsylvania Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, who will retire in 2022, spoke to make clear his “strong” disagreement with Hawley’s plan, a spokesman confirmed. Toomey’s voice.
Hawley’s objection will force the Senate to debate his statement for up to two hours, followed by a vote on Biden’s victory. With all the Democratic senators expected to certify the election, along with at least several Republicans, the Senate is likely to confirm Biden’s victory. The House, which must also hold the same vote, is controlled by Democrats, which makes certification a certainty.