WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a bid from Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, supported by President Donald Trump, to block the ballots of over 20 million voters in four states and overturn the victory of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
The rejection officially puts to an end a last-minute attempt by the state of Texas and Mr. Trump’s Republican allies to overturn the election results. The court rejected the bid in a single-page memo, citing a lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution. The court said Texas had no “cognizable interest” in how Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia conduct their election.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision is an important reminder that we are a nation of laws, and though some may bend to the desire of a single individual, the courts will not,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement.
The news comes just three days before the Electoral College meets to finalize the presidential election results.
With his options narrowing and time running out, Mr. Trump and his allies of several Republican attorneys general and GOP lawmakers are putting pressure on the Supreme Court to get involved in the dispute.
“I will continue to tirelessly defend the integrity and security of our elections and hold accountable those who shirk established election law for their own convenience,” Paxton said in a statement.
Hours before the court’s decision, Mr. Trump called on the Supreme Court to intervene in the election, but also acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration for the first time.
The President has lost over 50 cases to challenge election results in courts since Election Day. Texas Republican Party chairman Allen West warned the Court’s decision “establishes a precedent that says states can violate the U.S. constitution and not be held accountable.” He then went to suggest the state secede from the rest of the country.
“Perhaps law-abiding states should bond together and form a Union of states that will abide by the constitution,” West said in a statement.
