Buttigieg denounces Trump campaign for ‘suppressing voters’ calling it ‘a stain on that campaign forever’

Former 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg denounced President Trump’s campaign for “suppressing voters,” labeling it “a stain on that campaign forever.”

Buttigieg slammed the Trump campaign in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union,” saying they have “given up” and resorted to voter suppression. 

“Unfortunately it seems that Republicans have given up – at least Donald Trump’s campaign has really given up on the idea of persuading voters and is instead turning to the idea of suppressing voters,” he said. 

The former mayor of South Bend, Ind., criticized the administration for trying “to disenfranchise” voters, specifically in Texas, and for attempting “maneuvers to try and make it harder to get absentee ballots” particularly for those serving overseas. 

“This is especially shocking,” Buttigieg said. “I don’t know what Donald Trump has against soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who are returning absentee ballots from abroad.” 

“It is going to be a stain on that campaign forever that they thought part of their strategy to win was to make it harder for American citizens, including patriots serving overseas, to have their voices heard,” he added. 

Pete Buttigieg slams the Trump campaign: “It is going to be a stain on that campaign forever that they thought part of their strategy to win was to make it harder for American citizens, including patriots serving overseas, to have their voices heard” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/4FGbGnda14

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) November 1, 2020

Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski dismissed accusations on “Fox News Sunday” that the campaign and the Republican party are aiming to limit the collection and processing of mail-in ballots.

He said the party and the campaign are focused on stopping voter fraud and holding up “the integrity of the process.”

This year’s election is expected to set records for absentee voting and early voting as the coronavirus pandemic continues.