A major ally of the President just called the Trump legal team a national embarrassment. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie also said it’s time for them to end attempts to overturn election results. Christie said Trump’s lawyers failed to provide any evidence of fraud. And at this point, he thinks it may be time to put the needs of the country first.
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In an interview with ABC, Christie declared “If you have got the evidence of fraud, present it,” he said. Also, Christie called out the legal team’s efforts in attacking Republican governors. They accused these governors of not taking a stand on claims of voter fraud.
A National Embarrassment
Christie deplored the conduct of Trump’s lawyers. He said, “Quite frankly, the conduct of the President’s legal team has been a national embarrassment.” In particular, he identified lawyer, Sidney Powell. Powell accused Georgia GOP Governor Brian Kemp of allowing fraud to happen in the state.
At the behest of team Trump, Georgia will count the state’s presidential votes again. Last week, Georgia certified the results, declaring Biden the winner by 12,670 votes. However, since the lead was less than 0.5%, the losing team can request a recount. Experts believe the recount won’t change the results.
‘Outrageous Conduct’
Christie exclaimed that “This is outrageous conduct by any lawyer.” He said Trump attorneys kept accusing voter fraud, then promising to submit evidence. But so far, nothing has come out in the form of proof. He noted, “They allege fraud outside the courtroom, but when they go inside the courtroom, they don’t plead fraud and they don’t argue fraud.”
The former NJ governor remains a staunch Republican. “Listen, I have been a supporter of the President. I voted for him twice, but elections have consequences, and we cannot continue to act as if something happened here that didn’t happen.” He thinks it’s time to move on. “If you are unwilling to come forward and present the evidence, it must mean the evidence doesn’t exist,” he said. He suggested the Trump team look at what’s important, saying “The country is what has to matter the most. As much as I’m a strong Republican and I love my party, it’s the country that has to come first.”
Other Republicans Joining in
Hogan was wrong, though. Other Republicans have joined in the move to start the transition. These include notable Republicans such as Rep. Paul Mitchell of Michigan and Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Republican Congressman Fred Upton of Michigan stressed the need for a smooth transfer. The absence of a transition creates needless uncertainty for the next administration.
The Maryland governor told CNN’s “Inside Politics” that “by not allowing the security briefings, the health briefings, the normal transition from one president to the next only brings about more uncertainty and threatens that peaceful transition that would otherwise — that would certainly undermine, then, the next administration. When you slow it down, when you fail to certify the results when you add all this uncertainty, it only makes it very problematic, then, for the next administration to start with their feet hitting the ground,” Upton said.
‘Time for Them to Stop the Nonsense’
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, also a Republican, echoed Christie’s statements. He appeared in CNN’s “State of the Union” and called out fellow Republicans for not speaking up. He wondered why there aren’t more Republicans who spoke up about his “bizarre” moves.
Hogan recalled their previous experience with elections. “We used to go supervise elections around the world, and we were the most respected, you know, the country with respect to elections. And now we’re beginning to look like we’re a banana republic. It’s time for them to stop the nonsense,” he said. He also said Trump’s meeting with Republican members of the Michigan State Legislature as “completely outrageous.”
Powell Out
Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis said their third member is out. They announced that Lawyer Sidney Powell is “on her own.” A week earlier, Trump announced via Twitter and welcomed Powell to his legal team. Powell also joined the colorful press conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters.
Powell confirmed his exit from the team. “I agree with the campaign’s statement that I am not part of the campaign’s legal team,” Powell said in a statement. “I never signed a retainer agreement or sent the President or the campaign a bill for my expenses or fees. My intent has always been to expose all the fraud I could find and let the chips fall where they may–whether it be upon Republicans or Democrats,” she added. She promised to file an “epic” lawsuit later this week.
Watch this as ABC News reports that Republicans begin speaking out against Trump as he refuses to concede:
Loading ...Do you agree with some Republicans that it’s time for the Trump team to let go? If they have the evidence they’re touting, don’t you agree this is the time to submit these? Like Christie said, do you agree that it’s time to put the country first and start the inevitable transition? Let us know what you think by leaving your remarks below.
