Former President Donald Trump on Thursday said top Democrats waged a “coup” against Joe Biden and contended the president shouldn’t resign the office, arguing his new opponent — Vice President Kamala Harris — would be worse.
“You could see what was happening. They were trying to do a coup,” Mr. Trump told “Fox & Friends.” “They pushed him out.”
Mr. Trump said that flattering comments about Mr. Biden from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama belied their tough tactics behind the scenes.
“I’d watch them on television and they act so nice. ‘Oh, yes, we loved you,’” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump didn’t say Mr. Biden should leave office, as other Republicans have suggested. He also said there was no need to use the 25th Amendment, a constitutional mechanism that lets Cabinet members deem a president incapable of holding the office.
Mr. Trump said Ms. Harris would be a worse president, deeming her a radical liberal weak on crime and illegal immigration.
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The former president defended his selection of Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate. Some pundits have wondered if Mr. Trump regretted his pick since Ms. Harris is now the presumptive nominee and might pick a vice presidential candidate from a key swing state.
Mr. Trump said Mr. Vance is doing a “fantastic” job.
“It wouldn’t have mattered,” Mr. Trump said of Ms. Harris’ promotion.
The former president also called for a one-year jail sentence for people who desecrate the American flag. It was a reaction to violent pro-Palestinian protests Wednesday in Washington during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress.
“People will say, oh, it’s unconstitutional. Those are stupid people,” Mr. Trump said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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