Extract from ABC News
Democratic US Senator Bernie Sanders has said that President Donald Trump is "prepared to undermine American democracy in order to stay in power".
Key points:
- Sanders said Trump was sowing conspiracy theories, casting doubt on the integrity of the election
- Republicans assured American voters that November's election outcome will be accepted
- The White House now says Mr Trump would accept the result of a free and fair election
In comments made on Thursday Senator Sanders also called for an independent commission to oversee the upcoming US election.
Senator Sanders, a progressive from Vermont, said in a speech in Washington that Mr Trump, behind in the polls, is "attempting massive voter suppression" and "sowing the seeds of chaos, confusion and conspiracy theories by casting doubt on the integrity of this election".
"This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy — and democracy must win," Senator Sanders said.
On Wednesday, Mr Trump refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power in response to a reporter's question, and said he expected his November 3 election battle with Democrat Joe Biden to be settled by the Supreme Court.
Congressional Republicans, among them Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, on Thursday issued statements assuring American voters that November's election outcome will be accepted.
"The winner of the November 3rd election will be inaugurated on January 20th. There will be an orderly transition just as there has been every four years since 1792," Senator McConnell wrote in a tweet.
After Mr Trump drew criticism for his Wednesday comments, the White House on Thursday said Mr Trump will accept the result of the election.
"The President will accept the results of a free and fair election," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said at a news briefing when pressed on Mr Trump's comments which prompted fellow Republicans in Congress to convey support for a peaceful transition of power.
Mr Biden beat Senator Sanders for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
Senator Sanders, who has endorsed Mr Biden, said he backed calls for a non-partisan commission to oversee the election and help reassure voters, and repeated his call for Senator McConnell to hold hearings on election integrity.
Senator Sanders also said all states should begin counting mail-in ballots before election day and social media companies must stop misinformation spreading on their platforms.
Reuters
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