GOP Rep on Efforts To Object To the Electoral College Certification: ‘When Does a Scam Become a Coup?’

Outgoing Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-Va.) says his Republican colleagues in Congress, who are supporting President Donald Trump‘s push to overturn the election, are merely trying to boost their fundraising and further their political careers.

Riggleman was asked what effect he believes the plan to object to the certification of the Electoral College vote count will have on democracy during an appearance on MSNBC on Wednesday.

“Politically for them, it might be great for their base, for their fundraising,” he said, adding, “But, nationally, it’s horrific.”

He suggested that lawmakers who support the push are “objecting to federalism” by trying to “ignore the states,” which have certified the election results.

“The only thing I can say is it’s nuts. It doesn’t make any sense right now unless it’s about fundraising for a specific base. They’re looking to go forward politically somewhere, whether they want to be in favor with the president over the next four years. But really, all of this is based on disinformation and conspiracy theories, and I think that’s what bothers me.”

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Riggleman argued his colleagues are “throwing away federalism” and “what makes this country great, which is the ability for the states to choose who they want to represent them.”

He continued, “I’ve been screaming about this for a few months, as you know, and I would say stop. When does a scam become a coup? And I think that’s what we have to start talking about is when do we actually have fantasy dictating what we’re talking as parties or as free-thinking individuals?”

“And I think it’s a frightening prospect for them to continue down this road,” he added.

Riggleman was also asked why he thinks Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced that he would join the effort to disqualify the electoral votes in certain states. He said, “I think he must have talked to some individuals who thought that his fundraising could go much higher if he were to do something like this.”

“It seems to me that 👤Josh Hawley is looking for higher office. Maybe he’s positioning for 2024. This is all just political. It has nothing to do on rule of law, has nothing to do with what’s good for this country. It has to do with what’s good for the individual,” he added.

Hawley announced on Twitter that he would join the effort by House Republicans to disqualify the electoral votes from five battleground states that Trump lost.

Hawley’s statement also drew criticism from Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), who also suggested presidential aspirations were driving the decision.