Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said on Wednesday that he will support former President Donald Trump if he secures the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.
Youngkin told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that beating President Joe Biden is his ultimate priority in 2024, which he said means he will support the Republican nominee without conditions.
Though Youngkin insisted he looks “forward to Virginians having the chance to come to the ballot and choose their candidate that they want to support,” and noted “there’s a lot of good candidates in the race,” he stressed that the “most important thing” is beating Biden.
Stopping short of making an endorsement, Youngkin told the hosts, “We have to make sure that Republicans put forth a great candidate and Joe Biden does not get another four years of the presidency, because America can’t stand it.”
“I’ve been very clear, I’m going to let Virginians choose their candidate. I will support the Republican nominee,” said Youngkin, before being pressed about Trump by “Squawk Box” hosts. Youngkin reiterated that he will “support the Republican candidate,” and said defeating Biden “is a matter of the future of the country.”
Asked by the “Squawk Box” panel about claims that Trump is planning an authoritarian presidency, citing his comedic remarks about being a “dictator” for just his first day in office and pledge to be his voters’ “retribution” in Washington, D.C., the governor replied that he was unconcerned.
“I think what we saw during President Trump’s term was that he literally governed in a way that delivered good policy outcomes,” Youngkin acknowledged. “He and I have different styles, but his policies were effective and they worked. We had a good economy, a secure border, we understood what projecting strength around the world meant. That’s the way he governed before.”
Citing the U.S. Constitution’s Separation of Powers Clause among three branches of government, the governor noted, “the reason why it was drawn up that way is for balance of power, and we didn’t have kings and we didn’t have dictators.” He concluded, “I think this is what America was built on and this is what I think America will be going forward.”
Youngkin downplays concerns that Trump's next term will be all about retribution: " I think what we saw during President Trump's term was that he literally governed in a way that delivered good policy outcomes." pic.twitter.com/hNgT8BeWD4
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 13, 2023
Youngkin also cited the recent announcement that the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals are moving their operations from Washington, D.C., to Virginia as proof of his lack of interest in entering the 2024 presidential campaign, calling the announcement “representative of the fact that we continue to stay focused on Virginia.”
A recent poll of Republican primary voters in Virginia showed Youngkin in third place, tied with former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, with 10 percent of support. Trump led the field with the support of 51 percent of Virginia Republicans, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trailed in second place, polling at 14 percent.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
