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Romney says he can't imagine 'a more undemocratic action' than what Trump's done

Retiring GOP Sen. Alexander said Trump should provide the Biden team with all resources necessary for a smooth transition.
Image: Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, departs after the Republican Conference held leadership elections, on Capitol Hill in Washington
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, departs after the Republican Conference held leadership elections, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 10, 2020.J. Scott Applewhite / AP

WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, tore into President Donald Trump late Thursday for his continued efforts to sow doubt about the results of the presidential race and his decision not to concede.

In a tweet, Romney said that Trump's team has failed to show any widespread fraud, and he slammed the president for allegedly pressuring state and local officials to "subvert the will of the people and overturn the election."

Romney added, "It is difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action by a sitting American President."

His comments came after Trump’s attorney, Rudy Giuliani, baselessly claimed during a chaotic press conference Thursday that voter fraud was nationally coordinated, despite there being no evidence.

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Romney congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the Saturday following the election when the presidential race was called for Biden. Romney also told reporters Nov. 10 that Biden should be given the green light to begin a transition, which the head of the General Services Administration has refused to grant so far.

Romney, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee who lost to President Barack Obama, has been a frequent critic of Trump and the senator has been ramping up those comments in the wake of the election. He voted earlier this year with Democrats to convict Trump in his Senate impeachment trial.

Retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., meanwhile, said in a statement Friday that the Trump administration should provide the Biden team with all resources necessary for a smooth transition. He also strongly implied that Trump needs to accept the results and concede.

"Al Gore finally conceded 37 days after the 2000 election, and then made the best speech of his life accepting the result," Alexander said. “My hope is that the loser of this presidential election will follow Al Gore’s example, put the country first, congratulate the winner and help him to a good beginning of the new term."

“The prompt and orderly transfer or reaffirmation of immense power after a presidential election is the most enduring symbol of our democracy," he added.