RELATED September 14, 2023 The States of Our Union August 16, 2023 Presidential Transitions are a Perilous Moment for National Security April 24, 2023 Effective presidential transitions can earn the public’s trust What happens if the president doesn’t accept the election results? July 23, 2020 President Trump has been asked more than once whether he would accept the results of November’s election. He won’t say. What he has done is repeatedly claim the anticipated surge in mail-in ballots will “rig” the voting process. At issue is the peaceful transfer of power from an outgoing president to his successor — no matter how bitter the campaign. It’s a transition mandated by the 20th Amendment and a critical American tradition. “I have to see,” Mr. Trump said when asked by Fox News’ Chris Wallace last Sunday whether he would accept the results. “No, I’m not going to just say yes. I’m not going to say no, and I didn’t last time either.” During a presidential debate with Hillary Clinton in 2016, Trump responded to a similar question from Wallace by saying, “I’ll keep you in suspense.” CBS News