Retiring GOP congressman says he doesn’t understand ‘hold’ Trump has on party leaders

‘I think the peaceful transfer of power is a critical element of our democracy,’ Francis Rooney says

A retiring Republican congressman has called on colleagues to speak out about Donald Trump, saying he “doesn’t understand” the “hold” the president has on GOP leaders.

In an interview with CNN's Jim Sciutto, Florida congressman Francis Rooney was asked why more GOP lawmakers haven't come forward to acknowledge Joe Biden’s presidential win.

"There will be books written about this hold that President Trump has over a lot of the Republican leadership and base, and I don't understand it," Rep Rooney said on Monday.

“It was never that way with previous republican leaders. I think the peaceful transfer of power is a critical element of our democracy so I want to compliment and congratulate the president-elect,” he added.

When asked whether an element of fear of being attacked by the president maintains the hold on Republican leaders, Rep Rooney agreed saying this is “a large part of it with elected officials.”

“This hold that he has on the base whether it's born of frustration with globalism or changes in demographics… is unique to our society and to me it's a little dangerous to have that much personal affiliation,” he said.

Mr Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election by networks and news agencies on Saturday. President Donald Trump has yet to concede to the president-elect.

A large majority of GOP lawmakers have remained silent on the win amid Mr Trump’s threats of legal challenges alleging fraud in swing states that he claims cost him his victory.

Senator Mitt Romney and former Republican president George W Bush have released statements congratulating Mr Biden on his victory, mounting pressure on the president to concede the race.

“We’re playing into Russia’s hands here by undermining our own democratic principles,” Rep Rooney  said. “So let's get on with the programme.”

Following the declaration of Mr Biden’s win the Trump campaign immediately issued a statement in which the president stated the contest was "far from over".

The campaign has filed at least seven lawsuits in battleground states since election day to challenge the ballot counts, Bloomberg reported.

The Trump campaign has so far provided no definitive evidence of any voting irregularities.