In the wake of comments made by President Donald Trump regarding the possible transfer of power after the presidential election, U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney issued a reminder about the constitutional requirements for the transfer of power.
Cheney, in a tweet issued Thursday morning, wrote that a peaceful transfer of power was enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and fundamental to the survival of the republic.
“America’s leaders swear an oath to the Constitution,” she wrote. “We will uphold that oath.”
On Wednesday during a news conference, Trump was asked by a reporter whether he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power following the election if he lost to Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The reporter noted that earlier this year, there was rioting in Louisville, Kentucky, the city where EMT Breonna Taylor was killed in a nighttime raid on her apartment by police while she was sleeping.
On Wednesday, a grand jury brought up three charges of wanton endangerment against former officer Brett Hankison, who was fired after Taylor’s death, for shooting into a home next to Taylor’s where people were inside, according to the Associated Press.
Protests broke out following the grand jury’s decision and two officers were shot in Louisville.
After the reporter brought up riots in Louisville, he questioned whether or not the president would commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost the election.
“Well, we’re going to have to see what happens,” Trump responded. “You know that. I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots, and the ballots are a disaster.”
When the reporter asked again about Trump committing to the transfer, the president remarked it wouldn’t be transfer of power, but a continuation, implying he would win the November election.
