NY Republicans stand behind Trump’s election fraud claims

While Joe Biden prepares to take his oath of office in January, New York state Republicans have thrown their support for the latest lawsuit challenging the results of this year’s presidential election.

Representatives Lee Zeldin and Elise Stefanik were the latest to New York lawmakers to join more than 100 House members who signed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney General, challenging the election results in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Zeldin said the litigation is a necessary step to bring wrongdoings in the election process to light. Despite agreeing that President-elect Biden should go forward with the transition, Zeldin still believes the results of the election can be overturned leading up to the January 21st inauguration.

"The lawsuit filed by Texas to the Supreme Court presents a strong and compelling argument in favor of and defending the Constitution, law and the legal voters of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc.," Zeldin said.

The suit faces an uphill battle after similar claims were already dismissed in the lower courts.Zeldin, however, warns the latest case should not so easily be underestimated. "It's amazing how many people are commenting on the substantive content of this suit without even bothering to read it,” he said, later referring to claims of voter fraud which have until now not been substantiated. The U.S. Justice Department also has not found any evidence of widespread fraud, as claimed by Trump and his supporters.

“These are eye-popping, confirmed details of wide-spread wrongdoing, which must be understood and addressed on behalf of the legal voters who live in those states,” Zeldin continued, echoing Trump’s claims that the election was rigged.

“This is so much bigger than this year's presidential race. Election laws and state constitutions were blatantly ignored by certain officials to tilt an election in a different direction. That can't even honestly be disputed."

Like fellow Republicans Representatives Pete King and Chris Jacobs, Stefanik has been an adamant supporter of the President throughout his term and expressed her support for the Trump administration’s efforts to overturn the results in an interview with Newsmax.

“I support the effort by the Trump campaign to make sure every legal ballot and only legal ballots are counted,” Stefanik said. “I think it is very important to have every legal ballot counted and let the legal process play out, and as the president has said, if the Electoral College and the vote is certified for Joe Biden, there will be a smooth transition.” 

The lawsuit calls for the courts to “provide an objective review of these anomalies and to determine for the people if indeed the Constitution has been followed and the rule of law maintained.”

Meanwhile, at least 27 Congressional Republicans have accepted the election’s results, including some who have gone as far as congratulating the president-elect. 

“To ensure the integrity of the electoral process, we must continue to transparently count and certify all of the American people’s votes to its complete conclusion,” tweeted Rep. Tom Reed, a Republican representing New York’s 23rd district four days after the Nov. 3 election. “However, out of respect in deference to the moment, I extend my congratulations to President-elect Biden,” Reed added.