This week, the President of the United States was asked if he would consider the election valid only if he wins and if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose.

Here are some things Donald Trump actually said in response:

• “Well, we’re going to have to see what happens.”

• “The ballots are a disaster.”

• “Get rid of the ballots and ... there won’t be a transfer, frankly.”

• “The ballots are out of control.”

• “The ballots — that’s a whole big scam.”

• “We want to make sure the election is honest, and I’m not sure that it can be.”

Never in the history of our nation has a president refused to peacefully hand over leadership to his duly elected successor.

But now we have a president who is confessing — on live TV, over and over again — that he may try to remain in office regardless of the election results.

This is outright authoritarianism.

It is what dictators and despots do.

And it is not American.

Trump can’t deliver on these threats by himself. He would need enablers in Congress.

Tell congressional Republicans:

If you care about our democracy, even a little bit, you must speak out. Now. It’s not enough to assert that there will be an orderly transfer of power if Trump loses. And it’s not enough to say that you trust the courts. Your duty is to state directly that you will stand with the winner of the election and stand against threats or violence used to undermine the outcome of the people’s votes.

Thanks for taking action.

Stay safe.

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

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