House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) declined to answer whether he believes the 2020 election was stolen in a recent interview with ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos. When asked about Rep. Ken Buck’s (R-Colo.) statement that “too many Republican leaders are lying to America, claiming that the 2020 election was stolen,” Scalise evaded a direct response. Instead, he emphasized his focus on getting the country back on track and avoiding discussions about the past election.
Stephanopoulos repeatedly pressed Scalise to unequivocally state that the 2020 election was not stolen, but the congressman avoided answering directly. Scalise argued that some states did not follow their own laws, which he believes is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. However, Stephanopoulos continued to push for a clear response from Scalise.
Scalise’s refusal to affirm that the election was fairly decided reflects the challenge faced by many GOP politicians who seek to avoid upsetting former President Trump while also trying to move forward. Scalise was among the majority of House Republicans who voted against certifying the election in all states after the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
This exchange highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the legitimacy of the 2020 election, particularly among Trump supporters who argue that certain changes made during the pandemic violated state laws. Despite the numerous court rulings that rejected these claims, Scalise and others continue to raise concerns about the election process.
Ultimately, the interview did not reach a definitive conclusion, leaving the question of Scalise’s stance on the election unanswered.
