Trump is dangerously compromising core principles of American democracy and freedom by calling for valid votes to not be counted and by pursuing baseless lawsuits to contest the recent presidential election results. He is now even mobilizing the government to support his ploy to overturn what his own Department of Homeland Security has called the most secure election in American history.

Trump has claimed that the election was rigged against him because of massive voter fraud, but studies and experts have shown this claim to be unsubstantiated (Rutenberg, Jim. 2020. "How President Trump's false claim of voter fraud is being used to disenfranchise Americans." New York Times. September 30). 

Experts have warned that a refusal by the president to transfer power after losing re-election could result in grave, dangerous consequences. For example, right-wing organizations have threatened violence over Trump's loss, and Trump’s refusal to transfer power would likely magnify such violence (Haltiwanger, John. 2020. "Trump is normalizing the possibility of violence in the 2020 election." Business Insider. September 16; Bennett, Brian. 2020. "Trump Allies Raise the Prospect of Political Violence Around the Election." Time. September 16). A refusal by Trump to peacefully transfer power could also wrongfully harm the next president's public legitimacy, making it more difficult for the next president to govern effectively. Finally and critically, Trump's refusal to concede to Joe Biden is compromising crucial cooperation needed between the outgoing and incoming administrations to effectively combat the coronavirus and address other pressing problems.

American democracy, peace, and security are far more important than any political loyalty or interest. Trump’s peaceful transfer of power is in the interest of all Americans and of people throughout the world affected by the United States’ stability and example. We call for Trump to peacefully transfer all power and to help prevent needless violence, turmoil, and division by acknowledging the new president’s legitimacy.

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