FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 file photo, Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, leaves a meeting with national intelligence inspector general Michael Atkinson about a whistleblower complaint, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
WASHINGTON — Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, stands by his vote objecting to Pennsylvania’s Electoral College count. He also takes issue with how President Donald Trump reacted to protesters, some of whom stormed the Capitol on Wednesday.
Stewart told KSL NewsRadio’s Live Mic with Lee Lonsberry that he was only a few feet away from the violent protests and heard a shot fired.
However, that experience does not have him second guessing his vote. He believes the facts show fraud in Pennsylvania, even though multiple courts, including the US Supreme Court, ruled otherwise.
“That’s why I didn’t vote [against the tally] in Arizona,” Stewart said. “I didn’t think there was enough evidence to suggest that the fraud in Arizona would have risen to the level outside of any other election. That wasn’t true in Pennsylvania…But what happened yesterday does not in any way change the facts that happened on election day.”
Stewart says he has not seen the Twitter video and posts President Trump made directed at protesters. However, he still feels the president should have done more.
“‘Go down and peacefully protest, and go down and accept the will of the House and the will of the Senate.’ That’s what he should have said,” Stewart said.
Stewart believes that message applies to anyone holding the office of the presidency.
“Any commander-in-chief has this special responsibility to temper emotions, not to [inflame] emotions. They have a special responsibility to encourage his followers or her followers to adhere to the law,” Stewart said.
He also threw cold water on the idea of using the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump.
On the show, Stewart questioned the basis for using it. He also argued that it would divide people further when Mr. Trump only has about a week left in office.