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November 3rd, 2020 is the date on the calendar that Donald Trump, if he has any sense left at all, is dreading above all others. It’s the day that the American people, after four long nightmarish years, will finally be given the chance to expel the worst president in our history from the Oval Office.
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Given his abysmal track record as president—in particular his utterly incompetent COVID-19 leadership—it seems exceedingly likely that we will kick this monster to the curb of 1600 Pennslyvania Avenue and usher in a Joe Biden administration. Donald Trump will be sent packing into ignominy and the United States will once again ascend to the position of leader of the free world.
Of course, given Trump’s authoritarian impulses and his utter disdain for our democratic institutions, there’s no guarantee that he will go quietly or that he’ll respect the election at all. New comments from his son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner have raised concerns about the latter.
In an interview with Time, the president’s golden boy was asked if the November 3rd election will be held as scheduled. He said the White House believes so, but didn’t rule out the possibility of postponement.
“I’m not sure I can commit one way or the other, but right now that’s the plan,” Kushner said, despite the fact the neither he nor the president has the power to move the election.
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The fact that he would even entertain the idea speaks either to delusion or, more concerningly, perhaps indicates that backroom conversations are already underway in the White House to figure out how the election might be unconstitutionally rescheduled.
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Twitter erupted after the Kushner comments surfaced, with many users—including former Secretary of State and 2016 popular vote victor Hillary Clinton—pointing out the sheer ignorance of his statement. Others voiced serious concerns that this is an avenue Trump and his lackeys might actually try to pursue.
No matter how little respect this administration has for the rule of law, they cannot and will not be able to reschedule the election. Donald J. Trump will be held accountable at the ballot box this November and finally discarded into the wastebin of history where he belongs.
I can’t believe I have to write this sentence, but the president's son-in-law doesn't get to decide when the election is. https://t.co/7CrpHny6TF
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 13, 2020
The opinion of a White House staff member has no bearing on when the election is held. https://t.co/QUX1F6Y4RQ
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) May 13, 2020
Today Jared Kushner acted like the November election date could be moved, because he has no idea what he’s talking about.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) May 13, 2020
(1) The President cannot postpone the election; only Congress can, through legislation (even then, presidential term still ends on Jan. 20, per Constiution)
(2) Jared freakin’ Kushner sure as hell can’t do any of this so it means nothing if he “can commit one way or the other.” https://t.co/AtF4R9MLrg
— Elie Honig (@eliehonig) May 13, 2020
Dumber than dirt https://t.co/nYt1kjrVuB
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) May 13, 2020
Imagine Jared Kushner getting to decide whether the United States postpones its presidential election
— Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) May 13, 2020
He’s so far over his head and ahead of his skis that he’s at risk of doing something anatomically impossible to himself https://t.co/P4WWfct4z5
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) May 13, 2020
Let's be clear here: Jared doesn't decide whether we vote. Elections are run by the states. If the administration were to try to interfere with that, it would be a coup. It would be an open declaration of war on America. https://t.co/xYmpY9MtSz
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 12, 2020
I’m sorry. So we’re setting aside Art II section 1 of the Constitution and the federal statute 3 U.S.C. section 1 to let Jared Kushner decide whether we will hold our presidential election this November? Even putting this question to him is an insult to the rule of law. https://t.co/5B1xNDA5cm
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) May 12, 2020
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First of all, the headline should be "President's son-in-law doesn't rule out delaying election." This is either colossal ignorance or a dangerous trial balloon to unconstitutionally keep his father-in-law in power. Or both. Congress: pay attention. https://t.co/jowUht8JUS
— Richard Stengel (@stengel) May 13, 2020
In the wake of the backlash, Kushner issued a damage control statement.
“I have not been involved in, nor am I aware of any discussions about trying to change the date of the Presidential election,” he claimed. Given the penchant for lying he shares with his father-in-law, there’s no reason to believe he’s telling the truth.
New statement from Kushner, in light of his remark in this Time interview. https://t.co/mEGSNUKbN7
“I have not been involved in, nor am I aware of any discussions about trying to change the date of the Presidential election.”
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) May 13, 2020
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