Murkowski calls for presidential transition to begin, saying Trump’s attempts to influence electoral results are ’unprecedented’

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sunday called for the presidential transition to begin, saying President Donald Trump’s attempts to influence electoral results are “not only unprecedented but inconsistent with our democratic process.”

“Each state has worked to ensure a free and fair elections process,” Murkowski said in a statement distributed on social media. “President Trump has had the opportunity to litigate his claims, and the courts have thus far found them without merit. A pressure campaign on state legislators to influence the electoral outcome is not only unprecedented but inconsistent with our democratic process. It is time to begin the full and formal transition process.”

Trump has repeatedly tried to overturn election results in states that he lost by claiming there was widespread voter fraud. Most recently, he has turned to Republican officials in swing states in attempt to appoint Trump-supporting electors who could potentially vote to appoint him even if constituents voted for former Vice President Joe Biden.

Murkowski’s statement came Sunday as several prominent Republicans called on Trump to concede the election. Among them was former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who called the conduct of Trump’s legal team a “national embarrassment.”

[Prominent Republicans begin breaking ranks with Trump]

Murkowski was one of a handful of national Republicans to congratulate Biden on the presidential win early on. Earlier this month, she said Americans should expect an orderly transition, but that it was up to the courts to determine if there was any truth to Trump’s claims of voter fraud. As the president’s claims have repeatedly fallen flat in state courts over the last week and states have moved to certify election results, Murkowski on Sunday called for a formal transition of power to begin.

Murkowski joined Alaska’s lone congressman, Don Young, in calling for a transition of power from President Donald Trump to President-elect Joe Biden. Young, also a Republican, congratulated Biden on the win and said earlier this month that “it is time to put the election behind us.”

Many other Republicans have stayed silent on the matter.

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan previously told reporters that Trump’s legal challenges should be allowed to play out, but he expects to see a peaceful transition of power.