Republican Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) continues to defend President Trump and refused to be interviewed about links between Trump’s false election fraud claims and the riots at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Last week, the Daily Egyptian reported contacting Bost over a dozen times, but he declined to comment or answer additional questions regarding his decision not to certify the electoral college votes of Arizona or Pennsylvania, or his decision to vote against impeaching Trump.

(See more: Bost stands by Trump, opposes election results and impeachment).

Advertisement

Eventually his press secretary said he would be willing to answer questions only in writing. The questions and his answers are below:

The DE’s Questions:

1. What was his experience at the Capitol on Wednesday?
2. Does Representative Bost still support President Trump after the Riots?
3. Why did Representative Bost object to the certification of the election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania?
4. Why did Representative Bost sign on to the brief supporting the Texas Lawsuit challenging the election results?
5. Does Representative Bost see a link between challenging the validity of the election results and the riots that occurred Wednesday?
6. What would Representative Bost like to say to his constituents who are still reeling from Wednesday’s attack on democracy?

Bost’s Responses:

“On Wednesday, I had gone back to my office after votes and was watching the debates on the House Floor on my television. Around 1:00pm I stepped outside to see what was happening across the street at the Capitol. 

All of a sudden, I overheard Capitol Police officers shouting about needing reinforcements over a nearby officer’s radio followed by what sounded like a riot grenade. My staff and I went back into our office and stayed there until the Capitol police gave us an all clear to leave. Once it was safe, members returned to the House floor to carry out our constitutional duty of certifying electoral college votes.

 The Constitution is very clear: state legislatures set the rules for states in conducting their elections. However, in both Pennsylvania and Arizona, election laws were changed by entities that were not their state legislators.

I voted to object to the electoral votes of both of these states not because of claims of fraud – that is something that is decided by the states and the courts and not Congress – but because, in my belief, they failed to meet that constitutional standard. This was also why I signed the Texas amicus brief.

Advertisement*

 What happened at the Capitol last Wednesday was unacceptable and un-American and those that broke into and ransacked the Capitol will be held accountable for their actions.

 In order to truly heal our nation, we need to turn down the temperature and tone down the rhetoric. The Electoral College votes have been certified and we will have a new president sworn in on January 20th. 

Both President Trump and congressional leaders are committed to a peaceful transfer of power next week, and we must continue working to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.”

A petition to recall Bost from office had 2,224 signatures as of publication.

(See more: Recall IL12 Congressman Mike Bost).

Editor-in-Chief Kallie Cox can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @KallieECox.

To stay up to date with all your southern Illinois news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.

Advertisement