Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) says it is “disappointing” that Donald Trump made the decision to pull his endorsement but blamed it on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), according to Al.com
“It’s disappointing that, just like in 2017, President Trump lets Mitch McConnell manipulate him again,” Brooks said in a statement. “Every single negative TV ad against our campaign has come from McConnell and his allies. I wish President Trump wouldn’t fall for McConnell’s ploys, but, once again, he has.”
On Wednesday, Trump announced he is pulling his endorsement of Brooks because he “went woke” on the 2020 presidential election when he told a crowd at a Cullman rally last August that it was time to move past disputing the 2020 presidential election results.
Brooks, who led Republicans’ efforts in the House to overturn the 2020 presidential election and spoke at the “Stop the Steal” rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol, disputed Trump’s claim.
“I have not changed. I am the only proven America first candidate in this Senate race. I am the only candidate who fought voter fraud and election theft when it counted, between Nov.3 and Jan. 6,” he said. “I repeat what has prompted President Trump’s ire. The only legal way America can prevent 2020′s election debacle is for patriotic Americans to focus on and win the 2022 and 2024 elections so that we have the power to enact laws that give us honest and accurate elections.”
Now, the Alabama congressman says there is no constitutional grounds to overturn the election.
“President Trump asked me to rescind the 2020 elections, immediately remove Joe Biden from the White House, immediately put President Trump back in the White House, and hold a new special election for the presidency,” Brooks said in the statement. “As a lawyer, I’ve repeatedly advised President Trump that January 6 was the final election contest verdict and neither the U.S. Constitution nor the U.S. Code permit(s) what President Trump asks. Period.”
“I’ve told President Trump the truth knowing full well that it might cause President Trump to rescind his endorsement. But I took a sworn oath to defend and protect the U.S. Constitution. I honor my oath. That is the way I am. I break my sworn oath for no man.”
The Alabama senate GOP primary is set for May 24. Among other Republican candidates are local businessman and former Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Mike Durant, and Katie Britt, former chief of staff to retiring Sen. Richard Shelby. Recent polling shows Durant in the lead with Britt second and Brooks a distant third.
