Chris Geidner for BuzzFeed:
Even as leaders of and lawyers for both major political parties denounce Donald Trump’s warnings that next month’s election could be “rigged,” one top Republican legal group is standing by the nominee.
“History has proven that some elections have involved serious questions and it remains a possibility in 2016,” Randy Evans, the chairman of the Republican National Lawyers Association and a partner at the global law firm Dentons, told BuzzFeed News. “Only the rule of law performed by election workers enforced by lawyers informed by citizens decided by courts is the only sure way of making sure elections are open, fair and honest. Time will tell whether that happens in 2016.”
Asked directly about Trump’s comments, Evans said it was “premature to say now” whether the candidate’s words are appropriate or correct.
After initial publication of this report, the executive director of the association, Michael Thielen, responded to a second request for comment from BuzzFeed News — specifically asked the second time whether he agrees with Evans’ comments — writing, “RNLA is working on an official statement in response from the association. Unfortunately as this is Sunday, that statement will not be ready until Monday.”
Disappointing but not surprising. See also the much more reasonable comments from Rob Kelner and Chris Ashby.