GOP to let Trump fight election for weeks despite Biden's win

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday there’s “no reason behind alarm” as President Donald Trump, backed by Republicans in Congress, mounts unfounded legal challenges to President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory - an activity that could now push into December.

Republicans signaled they are prepared to let Trump spin out his election lawsuits and unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud for another several weeks, until the states certify the elections by early December and the Electoral College meets Dec 14.

McConnell’s comments show how hard Republicans want to portray Trump’s refusal to simply accept the election results as a typical the main process, even as it’s nothing short of extraordinary. There is absolutely no widespread proof election fraud; state officials say the elections ran smoothly. The delay gets the potential to upend civic norms, impede Biden’s transition to the White House and sow doubt in the nation’s civic and election systems.

Trump remained out of sight at the White House, tweeting his views, however the social media company Twitter swiftly flagged the president’s tweets that he actually won the election as disputed.

“It’s not unusual, shouldn't be alarming," McConnell told reporters on Capitol Hill. "At some time here we’ll find out, finally, who was simply certified in each one of these states, and the Electoral College will determine the winner. ... No reason behind alarm.”

Democrats were livid, saying McConnell and Republicans in Congress are so afraid of Trump they are willing to risk the country's tradition of an orderly transition.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the president is “undermining faith inside our elections.”

Biden, taking questions from reporters in Delaware, called the president's refusal to concede an “embarrassment.”

"How can I say this tactfully?" Biden said. “I think you won't help the president's legacy.”

Biden said he understands Trump voters' “sense of loss.” But he said, “They understand we must come together. ... We are able to pull the country out of the bitter politics.”

Trump’s GOP allies in Congress have largely declined to congratulate Biden, burning Trump’s efforts to pursue legal challenges, even though privately many Republicans doubt he has any legitimate path to change the outcome.

Republicans are increasingly pointing to a December deadline to permit Trump space to exhaust his legal challenges. That's when the states face a deadline to certify results and a Dec. 14 deadline for the Electoral College to cast its votes. It's also about enough time it took to solve the 2000 election dispute between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore.

Yet, unlike the Bush-Gore election, that was held up over a huge selection of contested ballots in a single state, Florida, Trump’s team is challenging the outcome in several states with thousands of ballots. Trump would have to produce ample proof impropriety to undo Biden’s lead, which appears unlikely.

Later, after a closed-door lunch with Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Republicans, McConnell insisted, “I don’t think we will have an uninterrupted transition.”

Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing ahead in preparation for the Biden administration, specially the president-elect’s immediate rollout of a sweeping COVID-19 plan.

On Tuesday, Schumer invited Biden adviser Vivek Murthy, the former surgeon general, to a private briefing with senators to discuss Biden’s intend to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Democratic senators said it had been such as a cloud lifting as they heard plans for a thorough approach for bringing the COVID-19 crisis in order.

“Congress should pursue a solid, comprehensive COVID relief bill,” Schumer said. He warned McConnell and Republicans never to block or accept a far more modest effort. “We can not pretend this pandemic is nearly over,” he said.

Trump and his GOP allies haven’t offered evidence of election fraud, and their legal challenges have largely been rejected by the courts.

Still, Republicans are unwilling to stray from Trump, even in defeat, afraid of angering his most ardent supporters prior to the Jan. 5 runoff elections in Georgia that may determine majority control of the Senate. Two Republican senators are struggling to keep their seats against Democratic challengers.

McConnell noted the potential turmoil through the transition in praising ousted Defense Secretary Mark Esper, whom Trump fired on Monday.

McConnell said he expects to speak “soon” with new acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller about threats from terrorists or foreign adversaries ”who may seek to exploit an interval of uncertainty.”

He said the days demand “continued sober and steady leadership” at the Pentagon.

Both McConnell and Schumer were reelected as party leaders during private Senate elections Tuesday, but it’s unclear whether McConnell will retain his role as majority leader or cede it to Schumer as the ultimate races for the U.S. Senate play out.

Last week’s elections left the chamber split, 48-48, heading in to the new Congress next year. Republicans brushed back Democratic challengers in a number of states, but didn't lock down the seats needed to retain their majority.

The races for both seats in Georgia going to a Jan. 5 runoff are swiftly becoming a showdown over control of the chamber. The state is closely divided, with Democrats making gains on Republicans, fueled by a surge of new voters. But no Democrat has been elected senator in a few 20 years.

Two other seats remain prematurily . to call. In NEW YORK, Sen. Thom Tillis is trying to fight Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham in a tight race. Cunningham conceded on Tuesday, but The Associated Press hasn't yet called the race. Alaska GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan is favored for another term against Al Gross, an unbiased running as a Democrat.

Even if Republicans secure those final two races where ballots remain being counted, they would still fall short of the 51 seats needed.

The math is becoming more difficult for McConnell because the vice president of the party holding the White House casts the tie-breaking vote in the Senate. Next year that might be Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. That means 50 seats for Democrats would bring about chamber control. But Republicans would want 51 seats to retain power.

The stakes are high for all sides, with strategists expecting an eye-popping $500 million could be spent in the weeks ahead.