Murkowski says Americans expect an ‘orderly’ presidential transition

JUNEAU — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said President Donald Trump has the right to go to court if he believes there has been evidence of voter fraud. But the Alaska Republican said Thursday it’s important there be evidence to back the allegations and so far, she said, she hasn’t seen any.

Murkowski, in an interview with The Associated Press, said it’s not up to her or Congress to sort that out. It’s up to the courts, she said.

If it were to be shown in states where Trump has mounted legal challenges that some ballots were improperly cast, “the question certainly appears right now whether it’s enough to invalidate, enough to erase what has clearly been a Biden victory.”

“There comes a point, when you look at the litigation that is moving forward and realize that it will be to no gain in terms of changing the outcome of the election,” she said. “Having said that, again, I repeat, we all want to know that there is integrity within our voting systems.”

The AP on Saturday called the presidential contest for Democrat Joe Biden after determining the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not allow Trump to catch up. Murkowski, known as a moderate, issued a statement congratulating Biden.

[Republicans largely stand with Trump on Biden’s win, but a few cracks emerge]

Murkowski, who wasn’t up for re-election this year, declined to say Thursday whether she voted for Trump, whose ire she has at times raised.

“I think what is relevant right now is that the will of the American voters is respected, and that, again, to take it back to what I’ve been saying about a peaceful and an orderly transition — that’s what the American public expects. That’s what we should have. And what I am focused on now is how we go forward,” Murkowski said.

Control of the Senate remains undecided with runoffs pending in Georgia. If Republicans retain control, “you are effectively working within divided government, and divided government, perhaps by its very nature, means that you have to work together. And working together is the way that you’re actually able to build some enduring policy,” she said.

Democrats were on track to retain control of the U.S. House.