Fact checking: Trump and vote-by-mail fraud 3:35
(CNN) ––
President Donald Trump avoided committing on Wednesday to a peaceful transition of power after the elections.
A position that raises concerns that he won't step down if he loses in November.
"Well, we are going to have to see what happens," Trump said when asked whether after the elections he would commit to a peaceful transition.
This is precisely one of the cornerstones of American democracy.
LOOK: US elections: a nightmare scenario in 2020 seems increasingly likely
On previous occasions, Trump has refused to answer whether he would accept the voting results.
Which echoes his sentiments from 2016. He has even "joked", according to him, about staying in office long after the two terms allowed in the Constitution.
However, his refusal to guarantee a transition without violence went further.
So it is likely to alarm your opponents.
Which are already nervous about the deployment of security forces ordered by Trump to quell protests in cities across the country.
Trump again lashes out at vote-by-mail
Trump based his reluctance to commit to a peaceful transition on what he said were ballot concerns.
Thus, he spread his false claim that voting by mail is riddled with fraud.
"You know I've been complaining loudly about the ballots and the ballots are a mess," Trump said at the White House.
He was presumably referring to mail-in ballots, which he has unsubstantiated about will lead to voter fraud.
Trump says vote-by-mail creates massive fraud 1:47
Ditch the ballots and you'll have a very… there will be no transition, frankly.
There will be a continuation, "he added.
Then he insisted that "the ballots are out of control."
Trump has previously said his rival Joe Biden would only win in November if the election is "rigged."
Even hours before he suggested that the results of the election were likely to be contested to the Supreme Court.
National polls currently rank Trump behind Biden.
However, poll results in the disputed states are more contested.
Democrats' concerns with Trump after elections
Democrats have long been concerned that Trump is trying to hold on through the president's authorities.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested in the summer that Trump would have to be "fumigated" if he refuses to accept the election results.
The president has not tried to suppress speculation that he will not leave office.
In a Fox News interview, in which he was asked if he could accept the election results, he objected.
"Not.
I have to see it, ”Trump said.
Look, I have to see it.
No, I will not just say 'yes'.
I'm not going to say 'no'.
And I didn't do it the last time either.
In his briefing, Trump also touched on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
He said the agency could be politically motivated to delay approval of a coronavirus vaccine.
The FDA is considering new rules for the authorization of a covid-19 vaccine.
A process that could delay approval until after the election.
"It struck me as extremely political," Trump said of the proposed rules.
Let's look at it.
When we come back with these great results and I think they will have them.
Why would we do it?
Why would we delay it?
But we're going to look at it, we're going to take a look at it, and ultimately you have to approve it. "
Trump's briefing lasted 16 minutes.
The president ended it by saying that he had to take an "emergency phone call."
Elections 2020 United StatesJoe BidenTransition
