In a series of early morning tweets on Wednesday, President Donald Trump called for a “major” investigation into “VOTER FRAUD,” including those who may have voted in two states and “those who are “illegal”:
I will be asking for a major investigation into VOTER FRAUD, including those registered to vote in two states, those who are illegal and….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017
It’s not clear if by “illegal” he means illegal immigrants, people who are prohibited from voting or both. The investigation will also look into “dead” voters:
even, those registered to vote who are dead (and many for a long time). Depending on results, we will strengthen up voting procedures!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017
The president had come under fire for claiming that millions of illegal voters cost him the popular vote in 2016 during a meeting with Congressional leadership. A claim that they did not push back on during the meeting…
Schumer: Congressional leaders did not challenge Trump's false voter fraud claim https://t.co/vg2GTxVUvb pic.twitter.com/MdBi6uyQTx
— The Hill (@thehill) January 25, 2017
…but after the meeting was a different story:
Sen Schumer on Pres Trump's inaccurate claim of millions of illegal voters: "The President ought to realize he's President."
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 24, 2017
Of note, President Trump’s own legal team argued that the 2016 election “was not tainted by fraud or mistake” while arguing against Green party candidate Jill Stein’s call for recounts in various states:
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"All available evidence suggests that the 2016 general election was not tainted by fraud/mistake" -Trump legal team on Stein recount 12/1/16
— Julie Davis (@juliehdavis) January 25, 2017
Your daily reminder that @realDonaldTrump's legal team said the 2016 elex was "not tainted by fraud" during Jill Stein's recount effort. pic.twitter.com/qQkaJqgzuz
— Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) January 25, 2017
On Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings suggested he would call for an investigation of his own in order to prove the president wrong:
news via @LissandraVilla Cummings says staff is reaching out to all state attorneys general to ask about voter fraud https://t.co/4orlAZf1d3
— Kate Nocera (@KateNocera) January 25, 2017
But what he really wants to do is attempt to prove that Republicans are attempting to keep people from voting:
.@RepCummings on what he wants Trump to investigate: All the people who DON’T get the chance to vote https://t.co/m5nVLBacal
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) January 25, 2017
Maybe they’ll work together?
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