Trump Goes All In For Roy Moore: ‘We Need His Vote’

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks as he welcomes Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore to the Oval Office before a series of meetings between the two at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 23 Octob... US President Donald Trump delivers remarks as he welcomes Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore to the Oval Office before a series of meetings between the two at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 23 October 2017. The meeting comes less than two weeks before President Trump makes an extended trip to the Asia-Pacific region. Credit: Shawn Thew / Pool via CNP - NO'WIRE'SERVICE - Photo by: Shawn Thew/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

After initially backing away from Alabama GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations, President Donald Trump on Monday morning urged Alabama voters to support Moore, arguing that Republicans need his vote in the Senate.

Moore thanked Trump for his support Monday morning.

When the accusations that Moore made sexual advances toward teenage girls when he was in his 30s first surfaced, the White House and top Republicans distanced themselves from Moore. Though Trump never condemned Moore publicly, the President was silent as women came forward with accusations about Moore. The White House also called for Moore to step aside if the allegations were true.

However, as Election Day in Alabama nears, Trump has signaled that he still supports Moore. At the end of November, Trump told reporters that Republicans “don’t need a liberal Democrat in that seat” and noted that Moore has denied the accusations. About a week later, he followed up with tweets noting that he did not support Moore in the primary but arguing that the Democratic candidate in the race was not a good choice.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has also softened his tone on Moore recently. When the sexual misconduct claims against Moore first surfaced, McConnell called for Moore to drop out of the race. However, on Sunday, McConnell said that Alabama voters should decide who to sent to the Senate.

Latest DC
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: