Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Tuesday criticized former President Donald Trump's "absurd" and "pathological" obsession with unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the 2020 election, particularly in advance of a planned primetime address where Trump is expected to revisit these allegations.
"It’s just absurd that he’s still obsessed with that lie," Raskin told MeidasTouch reporter Pablo Manriquez. He argued that Trump's statements should be covered as continued fantasy and conspiracy, not as news, because they are not supported by any evidence that contradicts findings from the Jan. 6 report or federal court decisions.
Raskin stated that Trump "continues to manufacture fantasy propositions and conspiracy theories and lies" and is "running off in this absolutely pathological direction."
Trump has consistently refused to concede his loss to former President Joe Biden, an outcome Raskin noted was by "more than 7 million votes and 306-232 in the Electoral College." The congressman added that an entire political party has been organized around this assertion, which he called "a lie."
These claims have led to further allegations, such as Trump's portrayal of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot as a "beautiful day of hugs and kisses," Raskin said. He also referenced Trump's call to Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, to "find" votes to alter the election outcome, even after then-Attorney General William Barr confirmed the absence of evidence of widespread fraud.
During an appearance on MS NOW, Raskin indicated that Trump plans to blame China for alleged fraud in the 2020 election and seeks to "manufacture a crisis here that doesn’t exist."
Raskin also commented on Trump's past remarks about potentially running for a third term, noting that while Trump acknowledged the Constitution prohibits it, he had previously stated, "I’m not joking." Raskin suggested Trump "envies the authoritarian and totalitarian leaders of the world." However, he also expressed optimism, stating that "the vast majority of Americans across the political spectrum are standing up for our democracy and our freedom in our free and fair elections."