Bush v. Gore Lawyer Tells Federalist Society That 2020 Election 'Is Over'

It's time to accept Joe Biden as the president-elect.

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The Framers, they separated the powers because they knew that individuals would be flawed. They put in lots of checks, and we just experienced one, the election. To the extent that the citizens of this country did not like the manner in which President Trump spoke, or the manner in which he threatened people or the manner in which he executed the laws, they exercised their franchise. And we have—I do believe the election is over—we do have a new president.

Ted Olson, a partner with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher who successfully argued for then-candidate George W. Bush in the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore, in comments given during a panel hosted by the Federalist Society on the powers of the presidency. “[W]e do have a Constitution that works pretty well,” Olson added. “At the end of the day, we are going to have flawed individuals holding that office, and the people ultimately have the responsibility and opportunity to make a change when they feel it’s appropriate.” Olson went on to serve as solicitor general in the Bush administration.


Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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