Trump Ally Sen. Jim Risch Acknowledges Biden Win, Notes ‘Transition From One Party To Another’

Topline

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) appeared to acknowledge Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory in a newspaper interview on Monday, putting him at odds with President Trump despite being one of the president’s closest allies in the Senate.

Key Facts

Key Background

In addition to the six Republican senators who have acknowledged Biden’s win, 10 GOP House members, several former Trump administration officials, former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dan Quayle have acknowledged it as well. Risch’s position on the Foreign Relations Committee may have influenced his break with Trump, as most major foreign leaders have recognized Biden as president-elect.

Chief Critic

“The Radical Left Democrats, working with their partner, the Fake News Media, are trying to STEAL this Election,” Trump tweeted Monday without evidence, adding, “We won’t let them!”

Surprising Fact

Trump went as far as threatening Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who has broken with the president on issues like masks and mail-in voting and who acknowledged Biden as president-elect. “Who will be running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio?” Trump tweeted – signaling his support for a primary challenge to the first-term governor – asserting it will be “hotly contested!”