After first congratulating President-elect Joe Biden for his win over the weekend, Republican Sen. Pat Toomey criticized President Trump for reaching out to state lawmakers in his attempt to block or delay the certification process in key states as part of a long-shot effort to overturn his election defeat through the Electoral College.
“The idea that a sitting president would try to … I don’t know pressure, cajole, persuade state legislators to dismiss the will of their voters and select their own group of electors and send them to the Electoral College … that’s completely inconsistent with any kind of truly democratic society so that shouldn’t be going on in my view,” Toomey told CNBC on Monday morning.
The Pennsylvania Republican reiterated his belief that the President has exhausted his legal options in his home state, adding that he thought the same was true in Georgia and Michigan.
“Among the most fundamental aspects of our Republic and a democratic system is to accept the outcome of elections,” Toomey said.
He noted that he has spoken with his Senate colleagues and has reached out to the White House about his concerns.
Asked if he felt he was a lone voice among his conference, Toomey said, “I don’t like to characterize how my colleagues feel about these things but I can assure you I am not alone in this view among Republican senators.” He did not say who he had talked with or elaborate further.
Despite his criticism, Toomey said he did not regret supporting Trump for reelection, warning of a “very, very scary and radical shift to the left” in the Democratic party.