The Lincoln Project accepts that America has voted to re-elect Donald Trump on his victory. We believe in this democracy and in the peaceful transfer of power when the voters have spoken.

Four years ago when he lost by over seven million votes, Donald Trump’s Big Lie tore the country apart. For the first time in American history, there was no peaceful transition of power.

We said, as did many, this is not how it should work in America. In a democracy, someone must be willing to lose. In this election, it’s our turn to play that role in our democratic process.

We will stand with the millions who share a different vision of America than Donald Trump and his allies.

In the days, weeks and months ahead, we will not challenge the legitimacy of the voters’ choice for president. We will confront his policies and his inevitable abuse of power. 

We will challenge him on his lack of moral character and decency. We will challenge him on his promotion of authoritarians at home and abroad, and his failure to stand for freedom in the largest war in Europe since World War Two. We will challenge him on the vulgarity with which he demeans the office of the Presidency. The Republican Party and QAnon are now in the same party.

The most important battles are often the most difficult. We did not get into this fight because it was easy. We did so because it was important. That was true yesterday and is more true today.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and believed in the Lincoln Project.

Last night was not our night, but the fight for American democracy is too important to abandon, no matter how long the odds.