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Cong. Amata acknowledges Biden transition, rebukes chaos

Uifaatali Amata in her D.C. office
Source: Media release from Cong. Uifaatali Amata's office

Washington, D.C. — Thursday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata released the following statement:

“In proceedings led by Vice President Pence, the United States has certified the official results of the U.S. national election. The election is over, along with any meaningful election challenges. The transition to President-elect Biden will take place on schedule January 20th. Vice President Pence fulfilled his constitutional duty, and is a leader I respect.

“With one voice, the nation is rebuking the chaos we saw yesterday. President Trump cannot change the missteps of past rhetoric — his words must be thoughtful and calming for the duration of his presidency. After Congress concluded the electoral vote count, President Trump for the first time finally acknowledged his defeat in the Nov. 3 election and thankfully announced there would be an “orderly transition on January 20th” to the Biden Presidency. I thank the President for his calls for a peaceful transition. President Trump can look back on many accomplishments, such as his official acknowledgement of Israel’s capital, a rapid Covid vaccine under his watch, his many judicial appointments and more. Throughout Storm Gita and the events of 2020, his administration was attentive to American Samoa.

“The nation will put these sad events at the Capitol behind us, although they must be fully investigated and examined, and we will proceed together with a peaceful transition. The United States will go forward under President-elect Biden, and a closely divided Congress. The founders put in place strong checks and balances. That system was built to last, and we can trust it now. We should seek bipartisan legislative solutions to the nation’s challenges. May God hear prayers for peace and unity, and may God bless the United States.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE: As editor of Samoa News, I cannot agree with the Congresswoman’s statement that President Trump has “finally acknowledged his defeat in the Nov. 3 election…”

The following is the President’s statement made after Congress concluded the electoral vote count:

“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th. I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!”

It was not until later — in a video, released more than 24 hours after Wednesday's riot, Trump called for "healing and reconciliation" and said the country must move forward. However, he continued to to make vague claims that the 2020 presidential election was marred by fraud. (Watch the video!)

I point to Utah’s Senator Mitt Romney’s statement before the U.S Senate after the riot, “The best way we can show respect for the voters who are upset is by telling them the truth.”

Here it is: The election was transparent, Biden & Harris won it. Period. ra)