» DeWine: Trump‘started a fire that threatened to burn down ourdemocracy.’
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said his reasons for backing President Donald Trump for reelection remain valid.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday that President Trump’s unproven claims about a rigged election “started a fifire that has threatenedtoburndownour democracy” and his speech to protesters “served only to fan those flflames, encouraging the mob behavior that ensued.”
DeWine served as honorary co-chairman of Donald Trump’sreelectioncampaign in Ohio and was a Republican delegate for Trump.
TheGreeneCountyRepublican called the assault on the U.S. Capitol “a direct attack on the Constitution, oneverythingweholddear.”
When asked if he regrets supportingTrumpfor reelection, DeWine saidhis reasons for backing Trump remain valid, including appointment of conservative judges to federal courts and striking better trade deals.
On e p t . 24, DeWine declined to condemn Trump’s comments that he may not accept a peaceful transfer of power.
“I don’t know what is in his heart and what’s in his mind. Look, anybody who runs for president wants to win and they’re going to fight and they’re going to fight all the way through. But, without exception, I believe, throughout American history, the loser, once it’s determined that you are the loser, concedes. And we move on. That will happen whoever loses this election,” DeWine said in September.
DaytonMayorNanWhaley and Ohio Democratic Party Chairwoman Rhine McLin bothcondemnedonWednesdayOhioelectedoffifficialswho did not denounce Trump earlier.
When asked Thursday to respond to criticismthat he failedto forcefullycall Trump out, DeWine saidhe receives criticism from all sides and whenheacknowledgedDemocrat Joe Biden as the presidentelect, Trump tweeted that DeWine would face a GOP primary challenger in the 2022 governor’s race.
On Thursday, the governor declined to criticizeU.S. Reps. Jim Jordan, Warren Davidson, SteveChabot, Bob Gibbs andBill Johnson, Ohio Congressmen who voted against accepting some states’ electoral results.
“Thatwouldn’t have been my vote,” DeWine said.
The governor said while the attack on the Capitol marked a dark day forAmerica, hepraisedVice President Mike Pence, Senate Majority LeaderMitch McConnell and others for carrying out their constitutional duties.
“The systemworked. The constitution held,” he said.