Politics

Trump refuses to ‘step down’, threatens the election ‘is not over’ until he declares

Trump refuses to ‘step down’, threatens the election ‘is not over’ until he declares

President Donald Trump has rejected the outcome of the 2020 elections saying the ‘election is far from over’ after he polled 214 electoral college votes.

He threatened further legal challenges against his opponent Joe Biden although the Democrats and liberal groups were all celebrating Mr Biden’s victory.

Cheering could be heard across New York City after race called off and garnered 290 historical votes.

President Trump who did not accept the outcome when the race was called, issued a statement to undermine the legitimacy of the election with unfounded accusations of widespread voter fraud.

“Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor,” the statement said.

President Trump’s allies, led by his attorney Rudy Giuliani, held a news conference in Philadelphia, where they complained that Trump’s supporters were unable to observe ballot counting as closely as they wanted.

“After all major networks had called the race we have to forget about the law, judges don’t count! All the networks! All the networks! Don’t be ridiculous. Networks don’t get to decide elections, courts do,” she added.

Networks and the Associated Press called the race on Saturday after Biden won Pennsylvania.

Biden’s Twitter account was swiftly updated to identify him as the president-elect.

“I am honoured and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris,” Biden said referring to his running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris.

Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, tweeted a photo of him embracing his wife. “So proud of you,” he wrote.

Currently celebration was running through majority of the Americans and were waiting patiently for the president to officially be declared.

Spontaneous celebrations erupted on the streets of cities including New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles after news organisations called the race over.

There were cheers and honking horns across New York City, including outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

A large crowd gathered outside the White House. Several could be seen drinking champagne while throngs of people cheered and cars honked in celebration.

At the Capitol, dozens of Trump supporters bearing flags and other gear marched around the grounds.

The group chanted “America First” and “Stop the Steal.”

Biden supporters heckled the marchers, shouting “Bye!” and occasional epithets.

Some marchers stopped at the foot of the Capitol for a prayer vigil; few would speak to a reporter.

“Even if he does lose fair and square, I’d like to show my support,” said a D.C. area resident who identified himself as Pat.

He indicated that an investigation into the election ballot count was necessary to stop unrest.

World Leaders Congratulate Biden

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest business lobbying group, congratulated Biden and said it stands ready to work with his administration and leaders on both sides of the aisle.

The Chief Executive Officer of the chamber, Thomas Donohue said “It is important to complete the election process by fully counting every vote and resolving any disputes. At its core, our democracy relies on trusting the American people to make a decision and placing confidence in the systems in place to determine election outcomes.”

Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that Biden would represent American’s interests regardless of their support to his victory, and encouraged people to give him a chance.

Ex-President Obama called on Americans to “reach out beyond our comfort zone, to listen to others, to lower the temperature and find some common ground from which to move forward, all of us remembering that we are one nation, under God.”

READ ALSO: International electoral observers must be deployed—Mahama cries for free and fair elections

‘New Day’ of Hope

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said in a statement that Biden’s victory “marks the dawning of a new day of hope for America.”

Former Vice President Al Gore said Biden’s victory “marks the beginning of a new commitment to self-government by, of and for all of our people.”

President of the liberal group People For the American Way, said Biden’s victory “affirms the people’s commitment to our core values under the most trying of circumstances.”

“Americans have soundly rejected the bigotry and divisiveness of the Trump years and chosen leaders who stand for opportunity and dignity for all people,” Jealous said.

Cedric Richmond, a co-chair of Biden’s campaign, called the result “a great sense of relief.”

“Relief that we did it, that we won. Relief that the country will head in a better direction,” Richmond said.

With assistance by Jennifer Jacobs, Emma Kinery, Laura Davison, Steven T. Dennis, Kriston Capps, and Tyler Pa People around Trump noted that the president would concede at some point but advisers were split on how far to take the legal fights.

Some of Trump’s supporters in the House stood by him.

Representative Jody Hice of Georgia, a Republican, blamed the media: “The mainstream media, on behalf of their Democrat pals are trying to convince the American people this is already over.”
“It’s not,” Hice added.

But GOP leaders in Congress were largely silent.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky last tweeted on Friday, saying: “Every legal vote should be counted. Any illegally-submitted ballots must not.”

Senator Mitt Romney, the Utah Republican and outspoken Trump critic, congratulated Biden and Harris, tweeting: “We know them both as people of good will and admirable character.”

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican who has been critical of Trump’s response to election results, also congratulated Biden in a tweet and described him as “president-elect.”

“Everyone should want our president to succeed because we need our country to succeed,” Hogan said. “We have great challenges ahead of us as a country. Now more than ever, we need to come together as Americans.”

Source: www.spotonnews.net

Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

An Entertainment Columnist, Content Writer, Blogger, Novelist, Poet, and a Publicist. For business or story tip off, contact me on +233 24 646 6866 or email: [email protected]
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