Trump wants 'the people of Alabama' to decide 'who their next senator should be,' press secretary says


Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been in frequent contact with the White House as he sifts through various plans to salvage one of Alabama's Senate seats for Republicans amid the floundering campaign of Roy Moore, but since returning to the U.S. on Tuesday, President Trump has avoided taking a stand on the fate of Moore's candidacy as allegations mount that he initiated or tried to initiate sexual contact with teenage girls as young as 14 when he was in his 30s. At Thursday's press briefing, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump's view is that Alabama should decide Moore's fate.
"The president believes that these allegations are very troubling and should be taken seriously, and he thinks that the people of Alabama should make the decision on who their next senator should be," Sanders said.
She declined to say what proof Trump would need about the "troubling" accusations from nine women before calling on Moore to step down — presumably he sets a high bar — or whether Trump still supports the GOP nominee. When asked Thursday if she still plans to vote for Moore, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) answered, "The election will be December the 12th, and I will cast my ballot."
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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
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