Mitch Mcconnell Running Boards Trump Fraud Claims, Backs Counting ‘every Legal Vote’

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has sidestepped Donald Trump‘s unsubstantiated claims of Democrats stealing the election, though backed the president’s suggestion of disputes being potentially resolved in court.

McConnell said every “legal vote” should be counted, which follows the president’s attack on those he is deeming to have been illegally cast.

Amid an ongoing backlash against the president over his comments, McConnell said: “Here’s how this must work in our great country: Every legal vote should be counted. Any illegally-submitted ballots must not. All sides must get to observe the process. And the courts are here to apply the laws & resolve disputes. That’s how Americans’ votes decide the result.”

It comes with the president having again commented on votes he has deemed illegal in an early hours tweet, while calling for the matter to be looked at by the U.S. Supreme Court.

McConnell had previously told reporters that “claiming you’ve won the election is different from finishing the counting,” after Trump’s earlier premature declaration of victory.

Newsweek has contacted McConnell and the Trump campaign for further comment.

McConnell’s comments come with other Republicans either rebuking or avoiding certain aspects of Trump’s rhetoric.

Vice President Mike Pence, for example, has spoken of being vigilant over issues with counting and of believing he and Trump are on “the road to victory,” but stopped short of declaring a win and avoided commenting on the prospect of fraud or other such foul play.

It comes with several other high-profile Republicans having distanced themselves from Trump’s latest claims.

He has also faced rebukes from Democrats, with presidential candidate Joe Biden insisting all votes should be counted and speaking of his confidence that he will be victorious in the race for the presidency once they are.

Despite backlash, Trump has continued with his claims and railed against what he has branded “illegal votes.”

In an early hours tweet, he suggested that with those he deems legal he would win the election.

His team has pursued legal action to stop counts in several states, while he is calling for a recount in Wisconsin. He has outlined his desire for issues to be taken to the Supreme Court.

Trump’s comments come with Biden leading in the race for the Electoral College. The Associated Press’ tally puts him on 264 Electoral College votes, just six shy of the necessary 270 to secure a spot in the White House.