South Carolina Senator Tim Scott declined to say whether he would have certified the 2020 Election results if he were vice president at the time, breaking with other potential Trump allies whose names have been floated as potential 2024 vice president picks. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union,” Scott stated, “I’m not going to answer hypothetical questions, No. 1, and I didn’t know that I was a vice president hopeful.”
Scott, who has been signaled as under consideration for Trump’s pick as vice president, emphasized his focus on the future of America and the opportunities for disadvantaged children in the country. His refusal to answer the question sets him apart from other potential Trump running mates, such as Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, who have stated they would not have certified the election results.
The issue of certifying the election has become a point of contention within the Republican Party, with some lawmakers seeking to align themselves with Trump by reviving false claims about the 2020 election. Despite this, Scott has maintained his position, voting to certify the election results in the Senate and previously expressing support for former Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to certify the results.
In a departure from Trump, Scott also condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “murderous dictator” in response to the death of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny. He positioned Trump as a stronger candidate against Putin compared to President Joe Biden, stating, “We need strong leadership coming from America that actually pushes back against Russia and other dictators. Unfortunately, Joe Biden is not up for that charge, and Donald Trump is.”
Scott’s stance on these issues has shed light on the ongoing divisions within the Republican Party and the continued influence of former President Donald Trump on its members.
CNN’s Jack Forrest, Melanie Zanona, and Annie Grayer contributed to this report.
Read More Politics-news/” target=”_blank”>Politics News
