By Ben Lechensky
Reporter
These are dangerous times.
On one hand, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 250,000 Americans and infected millions more. On the other, Donald Trump refuses to concede the election results. Both are scary situations, but I’d be more spooked about the latter.
President Trump’s vehement refusal to accept the results of the general election is setting a dangerous precedent in our country. By refusing to accept the hand he’s been dealt, Trump is endangering the democratic processes which have worked in our country for over 200 years. His actions jeopardize public trust in the most fundamental part of our democracy: voting. While election officials have declared this election was the most secure election in American history, the President’s divisive commentary and actions paint a drastically different picture for the 70 million people who voted for him.
In the days and weeks prior to Election Day, Trump seeded doubt into the minds of millions of Americans over mail-in ballots, declaring them “illegal” and fraudulent. When Election Day rolled around and the “Red Mirage” became evident, he prematurely claimed victory and called for the vote counting to be stopped. However, as Election Day turned into Election Week and his lead was whittled away, Trump further muddled his script, calling for the vote count to stop in states he was leading but continue in states he trailed in. When Joe Biden was named President-elect on Saturday, November 7th, Trump tweeted “I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” In the weeks since then, he’s continued to dispute the election results, which are as follows:
- Joe Biden won the Electoral College, 306 – 232.
- Joe Biden won the popular vote by 5 million votes.
- Despite claims by the President, election fraud was not widespread and the process was transparent (election officials and observers from both sides of the aisle are in agreement about this).
- Despite a recount in Georgia and lawsuits in a few states, President Trump doesn’t have the math to overturn the election results.
The past four years have been filled with political lows for the Trump Administration, but this chain of events is downright disturbing. Let’s face it: it’s not surprising to see Trump like this, as we’re accustomed to his act-first, think-never approach to the job. What is surprising – chilling almost – is how Republicans at large are throwing themselves behind him, feeding his delusions. Some notable GOP members have offered their congratulations to Biden, including Sen. Mitt Romney (R–UT) and former Bush advisor Karl Rove, but the vast majority are either too ignorant to accept the results or too cowardly to speak out against Trump. It’s a telling sign of the Republican Party’s submission into Trumpism. The GOP – a party of dignity, integrity, and defending the Constitution – has seemingly lost its way. I hope it’s not permanent.
As COVID-19 numbers mount and Trump’s legal proceedings dwindle, our elected officials and public servants need to make a decision – soon. Do they remain quiet while Trump tears down the pillars of our democracy? Or, do they speak truth to power and move on? I certainly hope it’s the latter. Only then can we collectively begin to heal the divisions that exist in our great country.
