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Mr Trump continued to falsely claim that Mr Biden unfairly won the election due to widespread electoral fraud and demanded that Republicans in Congress make every effort to overturn the results. Attorney General William P. Barr admitted that the Justice Department had uncovered no such fraud that would have changed the outcome and the Supreme Court, as well as the courts of at least eight key states across the country, has refused or rejected challenges launched by the Trump Campaign in an attempt to reject the election results. These challenges did not fail to reverse the results in one state.
There is still a major break in the party. While a steady stream of House Republicans have announced their willingness to oppose critical state electoral votes, Mr. Hawley is the first senator to do so. He hinted on Wednesday that other senators may soon join his efforts, telling reporters “a number of offices have contacted ours through staff and said, ‘We are interested.’
On Thursday, he launched a fundraising pitch highlighting his plan. “We have to make sure that a vote means a vote in America,” read the post, which was positioned next to a photo of Mr. Hawley and Mr. Trump. “I intend to oppose the Electoral College results on January 6, but I need your help.”
It is not known how many – if any – of his Senate colleagues will rally to his side.
But this is already creating some sort of test for Republicans and their allies, who are being forced to side with and support Mr. Trump or reject his efforts to overturn the election.
His Wednesday announcement was met with a lack of enthusiasm in many conservative circles. Sen. Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and majority leader, had discouraged lawmakers from opposing the results, arguing that a challenge would force senators to formally declare themselves by challenging Mr. Trump or rejecting the will of voters.
And in a private conference call Thursday with Senate Republicans, Senator Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania, who is retiring in 2022, spoke to express his “strong” disagreement with Mr. Hawley’s plan, a spokesperson for Mr. Toomey confirmed.
Mr Hawley’s objection will force the Senate to debate his claim for up to two hours, followed by a vote on Mr Biden’s victory. Since all Senate Democrats are expected to certify the election, as well as at least several Republicans, the Senate is likely to affirm Mr. Biden’s victory. The House, which must also take the same vote, is controlled by Democrats, making certification a certainty.
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