President Joe Biden has been in the White House for nearly four months, but Republican state senators in Arizona are still litigating the 2020 election thanks to former President Donald Trump's conspiracy theories about its validity.
Despite multiple recounts, the state senators forced an audit of the ballots in Maricopa County—one of the primary targets of Trump's lie that a second term was "stolen" from him by Democrats engaging in widespread election fraud.
The Senators have enlisted Cyber Ninjas—a firm with no elections experience whose founder has expressed support for Trump's election delusions—to conduct the audit. One of the Capitol rioters was spotted counting ballots and one of the audit officials has said they're looking for bamboo fibers on the ballots due to the conspiracy theory that thousands of ballots into the county from the East.
Now, one of the senators who initially supported the audit has said it's embarrassing the state.
Arizona state Senator Paul Boyer, a Republican, told the New York Times:
"It makes us look like idiots. Looking back, I didn't think it would be this ridiculous. It's embarrassing to be a state senator at this point."
Boyer's comments come as the Republican party continues to stand with Trump in support of his election conspiracy theories, and ousting any Republican lawmaker who dares to push back against what's come to be known as "the big lie."
People largely agreed with Boyer's evaluation.
He seems to be self aware at least. https://t.co/jAJ7O3Roj4— Antifa (@Antifa) 1620710833.0
Yeah, pretty much. 🤷🏼♀️😬 https://t.co/VneYzeMxPq— 🌊 sassy-redhead-says-what? 🐞🦉🦋 (@🌊 sassy-redhead-says-what? 🐞🦉🦋) 1620693060.0
He's right. Of course he could have listened to the vast amount of folks that knew it would end up exactly this way… https://t.co/7tWJBfReHa— Andrew Donaldson (@Andrew Donaldson) 1620734218.0
Well, duh! 😁 https://t.co/Gb1MojY1A7— Pdx80 (@Pdx80) 1620686660.0
Arizona @GOP State Sen. Paul Boyer seems to be getting back in touch with reality. https://t.co/AcGeFvTz9J— NewMexican, Ex-Texan (@NewMexican, Ex-Texan) 1620691896.0
Yeah. Imagine that. They didn't think a company called Cyber Ninjas wouldn't turn Arizona into a laughing stock. https://t.co/50MF54jG0m— Rich Lewis (@Rich Lewis) 1620736832.0
While some praised Boyer for his newfound regret of the audit, more said his stance came too late.
That ship sailed a long time ago Senator https://t.co/Fz7kiIKJTr— High Desert Tiger (@High Desert Tiger) 1620736261.0
Generally that is when people resign. https://t.co/fnBNMX6qHQ— Rand Paul's Neighbor - Never Forget 1/6 Never Ever (@Rand Paul's Neighbor - Never Forget 1/6 Never Ever) 1620696326.0
Ha! Too little, much too late. https://t.co/d2GfTBVAbu— Joey bag o’ Sunshine (@Joey bag o’ Sunshine) 1620701699.0
The Department of Justice is reportedly examining the legality of the audit.