Braun acknowledges Biden as president-elect

"...today marks a watershed moment where we must put aside politics and respect the constitutional process."

Indiana Sen. Mike Braun, a high-profile defender of President Trump’s claims of voter fraud in recent days, said Monday he accepted the results of the Electoral College.

“I, like many Hoosiers, am disappointed by the results of the Electoral College vote, but today marks a watershed moment where we must put aside politics and respect the constitutional process that determines the winner of our Presidential election,” Braun said in a statement to IMPORTANTVILLE. “However, the results of the Electoral College should not diminish the need to continue a thorough investigation into the irregularities and credible allegations of fraud related to the unprecedented level of mail-in voting in the 2020 election.”

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 30: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) speaks to reporters in the Senate basement at the U.S. Capitol as the Senate impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump continues on January 30, 2020 in Washington, DC. On Thursday, Senators continued asking questions for the House impeachment managers and the president's defense team. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

In a call with reporters earlier this month, Braun said that he would accept the results of the election after today’s votes by electors in state capitols around the nation.

“That is when everyone is going to have to say ‘Hey the best effort was made to find this,’” Braun told Indiana reporters in a December 2 call. “Even President Trump in the White House has said that. Does that mean he will concede, go without causing a ruckus? I don't know. But I think that's the turning point, and if you don’t pursue overturning any stone that says there’s something there you will have half the country not satisfied with how the process is done.”

Braun has received national attention for his defense of President Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread election fraud, writing an op-ed for Washington Examiner and appearing on ABC’s “This Week.” 

“I will continue to call on State Governments, the Courts, and Congress to investigate the 2020 elections and take actions to restore integrity to the process so the American people can have faith in our democratic institutions,” Braun said Monday.

Earlier today, California’s 55 electors put President-elect Joe Biden over 270 electoral votes. In remarks from Wilmington tonight, Biden is expected to say that “democracy prevailed.”

Vice President Mike Pence will preside over a joint session of Congress to certify the votes on Jan. 6.