WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump tweeted early Wednesday that he is ordering a “major investigation” into voter fraud, revisiting claims he’s made repeatedly about a rigged voting system.
The investigation, he said, will look at those registered to vote in more than one state, “those who are illegal and…even, those registered to vote who are dead (and many for a long time).”
I will be asking for a major investigation into VOTER FRAUD, including those registered to vote in two states, those who are illegal and….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017
even, those registered to vote who are dead (and many for a long time). Depending on results, we will strengthen up voting procedures!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017
Depending on results, Trump tweeted, “we will strengthen up voting procedures!”
Trump has made the legitimacy of his presidency a focus after being challenged by Democrats and the media, aides and associates say.
Trump’s spokesman, Sean Spicer, has twice stepped into the fray himself, including on Tuesday, when he doubled down on Trump’s claim that he lost the popular vote because 3 million to 5 million people living in the U.S. illegally cast ballots.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have finalized their election results with no reports of the kind of widespread fraud so far.
“He believes what he believes based on the information he was provided,” said Spicer.
If the president’s claim is true, it would mark the most significant election fraud in U.S. history.
Rep. Elijah Cummings, ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said Wednesday his panel has already sent letters to the attorneys general in all 50 states asking for reports of any election irregularities.
“The president can join me and my staff,” Cummings said on MSNBC. He also said he wants Congress to restore voting protections, citing a Supreme Court ruling that “gutted” key sections of the Voting Rights Act, particularly the provision requiring southern states to get clearance in advance from the Justice Department before legislating changes in voting laws and procedures.
Some Trump allies say Trump is justified in using his platform to defend his standing. They point to Georgia Democratic Rep. John Lewis’ pre-inauguration statement that he did not see Trump as a legitimate president, as well as U.S. intelligence agencies’ assessment that Russia meddled in the election in order to help Trump win.
“Segments of his own government keep driving this narrative,” said Roger Stone, a longtime confidant. “I don’t think it hurts to point it out.”
Key advisers in Trump’s inner circle concede the focus on crowd claims and alleged voter fraud have been a distraction.
Tuesday night on Twitter, Trump slammed CNN again, referring to the network as “FAKE NEWS @CNN” while praising rival Fox News Channel.
Congratulations to @FoxNews for being number one in inauguration ratings. They were many times higher than FAKE NEWS @CNN – public is smart!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017
Trump has had a tumultuous relationship with the press, frequently calling the media dishonest. Still, two people close to Trump said he expected his coverage to turn more favorable once he took office. Instead, he’s told people he believes it’s gotten worse.
Epoch Times contributed to this report.
