In a decisive move that defies the sitting President of his own party, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has formally certified the state's presidential election results, officially awarding its 16 electoral votes to Democrat Joe Biden.
The certification, signed on Friday, confirms Mr Biden's historic victory in the traditionally Republican stronghold. This makes Georgia a critical tipping point in the President-elect's path to the White House.
Resisting Immense Political Pressure
Governor Kemp, a Republican and former Trump ally, took this step amidst a firestorm of pressure from President Trump and his legal team. They had publicly and privately urged the governor to intervene and delay the certification process in a bid to overturn the results based on unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud.
"I have a responsibility to follow the law," Kemp stated, emphasising that the certification was a legal formality based on the numbers reported by state officials. His decision underscores the growing rift between the President and Republican officials in key states who are upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
Republican Senators Demand Resignation
The governor's action has ignited fury among the most fervent Trump supporters. Georgia's two Republican Senators, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who both face tight runoff elections in January, issued a stunning demand for the resignation of Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger.
They accused him, without providing concrete evidence, of failing to honestly and transparently oversee the election. This move is seen as an attempt to placate the Republican base ahead of the crucial runoffs that will determine which party controls the US Senate.
Legal Challenges Continue Amidst Certification
Despite the certification, the Trump campaign's legal battles in Georgia are expected to continue. However, legal experts widely agree that these challenges are unlikely to change the outcome of the election, as no significant evidence of fraud affecting the result has been presented in court.
The certification now paves the way for Governor Kemp to formally appoint the slate of electors who will cast their votes for Joe Biden in the Electoral College next month.
