Georgia Governor Brian Kemp shot down a request from President Donald Trump to call a special legislative session to appoint electors for him instead of Joe Biden on Saturday, according to reports.
The phone call came just hours ahead of President Trump’s rally in the state, according to reports from the Associated Press and Washington Post.
The reports say that President Trump also requested that the Republican governor demand an audit of absentee ballot signatures — but that Kemp shot that down too.
“I will easily & quickly win Georgia if Governor @BrianKempGA or the Secretary of State permit a simple signature verification. Has not been done and will show large scale discrepancies. Why are these two ‘Republicans’ saying no? If we win Georgia, everything else falls in place!” Trump tweeted Saturday.
Kemp responded by quote tweeting Trump and saying that “as I told the President this morning, I’ve publicly called for a signature audit three times (11/20, 11/24, 12/3) to restore confidence in our election process and to ensure that only legal votes are counted in Georgia.”
As I told the President this morning, I’ve publicly called for a signature audit three times (11/20, 11/24, 12/3) to restore confidence in our election process and to ensure that only legal votes are counted in Georgia. #gapol https://t.co/xdXrhf1vI2
— Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) December 5, 2020
Trump responded to Kemp on Twitter, publicly asking why he will not call a special session.
“But you never got the signature verification! Your people are refusing to do what you ask. What are they hiding? At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature. That you can easily, and immediately, do. #Transparency,” Trump replied.
But you never got the signature verification! Your people are refusing to do what you ask. What are they hiding? At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature. That you can easily, and immediately, do. #Transparency https://t.co/h73ZfjrDt3
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2020
Many are worried about the runoff election in Georgia and pressuring people to vote, despite the fact that the GOP candidates and governor have not been very supportive of Trump’s effort.
Others have argued that the GOP should earn the people’s votes, by fighting for the president.
