Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp warned state officials against appointing pro-Trump presidential electors on Monday, telling them it is “not an option.”
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Speaking to lawmakers at the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators, Gov. Kemp said: “You all will be taking an oath to uphold the laws and constitution of our state, and now more than ever, it is important to remember that thousands of brave men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice for those laws, that constitution and all that they protect,” according to USA Today. “I’m confident that each of you will live up to the words and greater calling regardless of political consequences. That’s what I’ve been doing,” he added.
Last week it was reported that Donald Trump called Gov. Kemp to ask him to persuade state legislators to select Trump-friendly electors who will overrule the will of the citizens of Georgia and hand the state’s 16 electoral college vote to Trump even though he lost the state.
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Kemp said it is the judicial system, not the Georgia Capitol that is responsible for settling election challenges.
Kemp’s comments came just hours after a panel of lawyers, including a Georgia Supreme Court justice, told legislators that attempting to subvert the election results and choose its own presidential electors would be “highly unlikely” to withstand legal challenges. The discussion was part of a program focused on “powers vested to the General Assembly,” according to USA Today.
Kemp reportedly received a standing ovation for his comments.
