Former President George W. Bush (R) is weighing in on the 2020 presidential election and the riot that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
“I think the election, all elections have some kind of improprieties,” Bush said during a Texas Tribune interview. “I think … the results of this election, though, were confirmed when Joe Biden got inaugurated as president.”
When asked straightforward whether he believes the election was stolen, Bush bluntly responded, “No.”
Former President Donald Trump has pushed without evidence that the election was stolen.
Bush was also asked by the Texas Tribune if “the Trump-led federal government put democracy at risk in the aftermath of the 2020 election.” He responded, “No.”
The former president said, “What’s putting democracy at risk is the capacity to get on the internet to spread … all kinds of stuff. But checks and balances work. It’s a, you know, a balanced system. The courts work. The legislative process needs a little work, particularly on immigration reform … No, I thought the system worked fine.”
Watch Bush’s interview below:
And more …
— The Recount (@therecount) March 19, 2021
Evan Smith: Was the election stolen or not?
George W. Bush: No. pic.twitter.com/SgbuMT4q97
Bush also spoke about the Capitol riot, to which he said, “I can’t remember what I was doing, but … I was sick to my stomach … to see our nation’s Capitol being stormed by hostile forces. And it really disturbed me to the point where I did put out a statement, and I’m still disturbed when I think about it.”
“It undermines rule of law and the ability to express yourself in peaceful ways in the public square. This was an expression that was not peaceful.”
Additionally, Bush touched on the voter turnout in 2018 and 2020, saying it shows the “vibrancy of democracy.”
“That’s a telltale sign that people want to get engaged in the system and that they were willing to go vote,” he added.
Bush continued:
“Look, politics has always been rough … And right now we’re at a period of time, though, when there’s a lot of anger in the system, which then causes people to worry about the future of our democracy. I think it’s going to eventually work its way out of the system.”
“History and the United States has shown these populist movements begin to fritter over time, and so I’m optimistic about democracy,” the former president said.
Bush has spoken with President Joe Biden, who he called an “experienced guy.”
The former president added, “He’s off to a good start it looks like. Hopefully, this anger will work its way out of the system.”
