Alexander, Blackburn differ in approach to Trump’s fraud claims

Tennessee’s two senators continue to take a very different tone when it comes to President Donald Trump’s ongoing claims that he didn’t lose the Nov. 3 election, even though Democrat Joe Biden leads 81.2 million to 74.2 million.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn says she stands fully behind the president’s claims, and joined in a legal filing with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz in support of Trump’s largely unsuccessful efforts to claim election fraud.

“President Trump is well within his right to exercise every legal resource to ensure integrity within our election system, and we should all be standing with him every step of the way — this is not a partisan issue,” reads a statement by Blackburn. “This amicus brief will provide additional support to the patriots standing with President Trump and fighting back against election fraud.”

Top figures in Trump’s own administration have found no widespread fraud, and judge after judge has rejected his legal challenges in battleground states.

Tennessee’s other sitting senator, the retiring Lamar Alexander, said Wednesday that Trump should “put the country first” and congratulate President- elect Biden after state electors meet Monday to cast their ballots and finalize the presidential election.

Speaking to Capitol Hill reporters, Alexander reiterated previous comments that he believes Biden will be the next president, despite Trump’s ongoing objections to the election result.

“I think the votes are being counted, and states are certifying them and resolving disputes,” said Alexander, who is retiring from the Senate in January.

“And it’s apparent when electors meet on Monday, Joe Biden is very likely to be the president- elect. And if he is, I hope the president will put the country first, congratulate Joe Biden and take pride in his considerable accomplishments, and help him off to a good start.”

Alexander’s comments echoed remarks he made Nov. 23 when he called on Trump to “help the new administration succeed” by allowing the transition to begin.

Alexander said Wednesday it is “especially important” the transition is orderly due to vaccine distribution starting.

“We don’t need to lose one hour or one day in that distribution,” he said.

The retiring Tennessee senator and former governor is among a small number of Senate Republicans who have acknowledged Biden’s victory as legitimate.

Electors in each state will meet Monday to cast their ballots for president and vice president. Slates of electors are determined ahead of the election. The slate chosen for each state’s Dec. 14 meeting is based on which presidential candidate received a majority of votes in that state.