Georgia governor rejects Trump call to ‘quash’ election officials with emergency powers

Georgia Gov. Brian kempBrian KempTrump: ‘I’m ashamed to approve’ Kemp in Georgia Trump tackles pandemic but not elections in Turkey’s annual pardon Chris Christie: Trump’s legal team has been ‘a national embarrassment ” MORE(R) Monday office rejected President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump rages against “ 60 minutes ” for interview with Krebs Cornyn Spox: Neera Tanden has “ no chance ” of being confirmed as OMB lawmaker chosen by Biden in Pennsylvania was informed of positive coronavirus test when meeting with Trump: MORE reportthe call for him to “override” his secretary of state.

In a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a spokesperson for Kemp said that “Georgian law prohibits the governor from intervening in the elections” after Trump Twitter posts wondered why the “hapless” governor was not intervening on his behalf.

“The Secretary of State, who is an elected constitutional official, exercises oversight over elections which cannot be overturned by executive order, ”said Kemp communications director Cody Hall.

“As the governor has repeatedly said, he will continue to obey the law and encourage the secretary of state to take reasonable steps. – including signature audit sample – to restore confidence and resolve serious issues that have arisen. “

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger, who is also a Republican, said in November that Republicans, including Trump’s ally and the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham Is Trump heading to another campaign or to a courtroom? Biden’s cabinet is a battleground for future White House GOP hopes Republicans poised to become deficit hawks again under President Biden MORE (RS.C.), had pressured him to exclude the ballots as part of an effort to tip the state election to Trump. Graham denied the accusation.

Raffensberger and Kemp both certified the results of the election which, after a recount, found the president-elect Joe bidenJoe BidenTrump rages against ’60 minutes’ for interview with Krebs Cornyn Spox: Neera Tanden has ‘no chance’ of being confirmed as Biden’s OMB picks Five things to know about second round of the Georgia Senate LEARN MORE to have defeated Trump by more than 12,000 votes.

Trump has repeatedly criticized both Republicans and he refused to concede his loss in Georgia or nationally.

His feud with Kemp also escalated, with Trump saying he was “ashamed” to have approved of Kemp and that “hWe did absolutely nothing. ”

All of this happened as the state prepares for two polls in January that will determine a majority in the U.S. Senate.

Raffensperger called himself a “proud supporter of Trump” and acknowledged his disappointment at the president’s defeat, but reiterated his confidence in the vote count.

“The numbers don’t lie. As Secretary of State, I think the figures we presented today are correct, ”he said. “The numbers reflect the verdict of the people.”