House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is not having it with President Donald Trump.
Trump would not commit when asked during Wednesday’s press conference if he would ensure there is a peaceful transfer of power no matter the results of the upcoming election.
In response, the House speaker directed a message at the president, saying during her press conference on Thursday, “You are not in North Korea, you are not in Turkey, you are not in Russia, Mr. President…you are not in Saudi Arabia. You are in the United States of America. It is a democracy.”
“So why don’t you just try for a moment to honor your oath of office to the Constitution of the United States,” she added.
Pelosi called it “very sad” that a reporter has to ask her the question if there is confidence in a peaceful transfer of power if Trump loses the November election.
The Democratic lawmaker, however, said it is “no surprise” to see the remarks made by the Trump “because the president has been contemptible of science and governance,” as she put it.
Watch the video below:
Pelosi on Trump declining to commit to peaceful transfer of power: “You are not in North Korea, you are not in Turkey, you are not in Russia, Mr. President … you are not in Saudi Arabia. You are in the United States of America. It is a democracy.“ https://t.co/mRWa6yO6vC pic.twitter.com/jlx0ijisW6
— ABC News (@ABC) September 24, 2020
Trump refused to commit to making sure there is a peaceful transition of power after the upcoming 2020 presidential election, “win, lose, or draw,” as the reporter asked.
“Well, we’re going to have to see what happens,” the president said. “You know that I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots. And the ballots are a disaster.”
In case you missed it:
JUST IN: Asked if he'd "commit to making sure that there is a peaceful transferral of power after the election," Pres. Trump says, "Well, we're going to have to see what happens." https://t.co/BURjYQhYGU pic.twitter.com/3sRTVIlsh3
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 23, 2020
Responding to Trump’s comments, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said on MSNBC Wednesday night, “This is a moment that I would say to any Republican of good conscience working in the administration, it is time for you to resign,” as IJR reported.
However, Democratic lawmakers are not the only ones pushing back on the president’s remarks. Republican Congress members have also weighed in, as IJR also reported.
“The winner of the November 3rd election will be inaugurated on January 20th. There will be an orderly transition just as there has been every four years since 1792,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a tweet on Thursday morning.
House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wy.) also said, “The peaceful transfer of power is enshrined in our Constitution and fundamental to the survival of our Republic. America’s leaders swear an oath to the Constitution. We will uphold that oath.”
