Refusing to commit to accepting the 2024 election results has become an essential test of loyalty for Republicans seeking to become former President Trump’s running mate. This disgraceful moral shift is deeply troubling Senate GOP colleagues who fear a repeat of the January 6th insurrection if Trump loses again.
A faction of Senate Republicans is standing against the baseless fraud narrative, signaling to Trump and his extremist followers that any attempt to challenge the results without clear evidence won’t find much support in Washington. However, the disturbing reality is that many within the GOP are abandoning their principles to appease Trump and his MAGA loyalists.
Despite Trump’s steadfast refusal to pre-accept the election results, many GOP lawmakers are reluctant to follow his lead. Yet, a growing number are shamelessly discarding their ethical standards to climb Trump’s VP shortlist. These ambitious Republicans are isolating themselves within the party by sacrificing the moral compass that once guided the GOP, succumbing to a dangerous allegiance to Trump.
“What happened in 2020 was something that most people never thought was possible — challenging the election outcome, questioning the president’s legitimacy, and then attempting to stop the certification,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), reflecting on the lingering anxiety from January 6th. She stressed that Republicans are now being asked about accepting election results due to the haunting impact of that day.
Murkowski and other Republicans assert that candidates have the right to legally challenge election results, but without compelling evidence of widespread fraud, the losing candidate must accept the outcome. “I want us to be in a place where we accept the outcome of fair and legitimate elections,” she said. “What I don’t like is the suggestion months prior to an election that there might be something nefarious at play.”
Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), who opposed Trump’s effort to block Biden’s victory certification, reiterated this position. He stated that while concerns about elections should be addressed through legal channels, the results must be accepted once resolved.
Thune famously predicted that an attempt to block the 2020 election certification would fail dramatically, a view supported by then-Attorney General Bill Barr’s declaration of no widespread fraud. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) similarly affirmed his expectation to certify the election results like in 2020, barring evidence of widespread fraud.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) succinctly stated, “The results are the results,” underscoring his unwavering commitment to accepting certified outcomes, a stance that now seems increasingly rare among his peers.
Conversely, Trump’s ongoing rhetoric casting doubt on the 2024 election’s fairness is infecting some Republican senators, particularly those eyeing the VP spot or pandering to the MAGA base. Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) have conspicuously avoided committing to accepting the election results in interviews, signaling a concerning shift in priorities.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), up for reelection and a central figure in delaying the 2020 certification, responded to questions about accepting election results by emphasizing he wouldn’t ignore fraud claims. Cruz continues to allege significant voter fraud in 2020, further fueling baseless doubts.
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), a potential VP pick, qualified his acceptance of the results, stipulating it depended on a “free and fair” election. He stated, “If it’s a free and fair election, I think every Republican will enthusiastically accept the results.” In the warped MAGA worldview, “free and fair” means “if Trump wins.”
Some Republicans, like Cramer, suggest that colleagues’ reluctance to commit to accepting the election results might be a craven strategy to appeal to Trump for the VP spot. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) emphasized deferring to court rulings on election challenges, recognizing improvements in state election laws but acknowledging ongoing concerns.
This shift among certain Republicans indicates that abandoning their moral compass has become a prerequisite for those seeking to align with Trump. This starkly contrasts with the traditional GOP commitment to accepting verified election results, exposing a moral decay driven by the desire to appease Trump’s extremist base.
