Sep 23, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Schumer on peaceful transfer of power: "Trump is not a dictator"

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday responded to President Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transition of power should he lose the November election, telling CNN that Trump "is not a dictator, and the American people will not allow him to be one."

What he's saying: "The American people are wedded to democracy," Schumer said. "We believe in democracy, and the kind of thing Trump is talking about just will not happen."

  • "One way or another, there'll be a peaceful transition of power, and President Trump will not get his wish."
  • "One thing I'd say to the American people: Vote, vote early and the best way to prevent Donald Trump from messing around with the election is defeat him in a landslide, and that's what I hope will happen. It certainly should, given the kinds of things he said."

The big picture: Trump has baselessly claimed on a number of occasions that the only way he will lose the election is if it's "rigged," claiming — without evidence — that mail-in ballots will result in widespread fraud.

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