Amidst growing evidence of election fraud pouring in from seven swing states of the United States of America, President Donald Trump has declared he would “fight like hell” to hold on to the presidency.
He has appealed to Republican lawmakers to reject the claims of Joe Biden’s electoral victory when they convene this week in both houses of Congress to confirm the Electoral College vote.
“Electoral votes won by President-elect Biden are not gonna take this White House!” he said amidst cheers at a Georgia rally.
Trump is pinning hope on Vice President Mike Pence to do more than just carry out a ceremonial role during the joint session of Congress to count Electoral College votes on January 6.
Pence and both houses of Congress are scheduled to meet at Capitol Hill 6 to count Electoral College votes amidst disputes over election results in swing states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada, which remain unresolved.
The courts have refused to entertain the lawsuits complaining about the election fraud and irregularities, and state legislatures not following the prescribed rules to nominate electoral voters.
A growing group of Republican House members and senators have declared their intention to challenge Electoral College votes in swing states.
Lawmakers, in the lead up to January 6, have been picking sides in this last-ditch effort to ensure that allegations of voter fraud are transparently and independently addressed.
As many as 13 Republican senators have expressed their intent to participate in the efforts, and at least 55 Republican House members have committed to objecting to the contested votes on January 6. Meanwhile, more than two dozen Republican lawmakers have also said they will not participate in the efforts.
The role of Pence during the joint session has been heavily debated of late amidst Republican lawmakers’ push for rejecting the slate of electors for contested states. Both the parties have prepared their own slate of electoral voters.
The critics argue that Pence only has powers to count the votes even if he has concerns over their validity. However, the Vice President has promised Trump and Republicans of having their day in Congress. “We will hear the objections. We will hear the evidence,” Pence said without elaborating on the role he plans to play.
Trump campaign legal adviser Jenna Ellis has suggested Pence delay the certification of the Electoral College votes.
She also suggested the legislatures in the contested states to determine which slate of electors should be selected.
Critics have argued that the strategy of pushing Congress to adopt alternative Republican electoral votes is a long shot, as the alternative votes haven’t been authorized by state officials.
Kelly Loeffler (Republican lawmaker) has announced that she would join the efforts to challenge the electoral votes on January 6.
The congressional effort to keep Trump in the office is being led by Senators. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas, along with rank-and-file House members, some on the party’s fringe.
Both Hawley and Cruz are potential 2024 presidential contenders, vying for Trump’s base of supporters.