President Donald Trump’s extraordinary challenge of his election defeat by President-elect Joe Biden is becoming a defining moment for the Republican Party before next week’s joint session of Congress to confirm the Electoral College results.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is urging Republicans not to try to overturn the election, but not everyone is heeding him.
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has vowed to join House Republicans in objecting to the state tallies. On the other side of the party’s split, fellow GOP senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska warns such challenges are a “dangerous ploy” threatening the nation’s civic norms.