Dec. 4 (UPI) — President Donald Trump on Monday voiced support for Senate candidate Roy Moore, as the former Alabama Supreme Court justice faces mounting sex allegations and growing calls for him to drop out.
Trump’s tweet, which marked the first time the president expressly endorsed the controversial candidate, said the Republican is needed to help push through key parts of his agenda.
“Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican Roy Moore to win in Alabama,” Trump’s tweet said. “We need his vote on stopping crime, illegal immigration, Border Wall, Military, Pro Life, V.A., Judges 2nd Amendment and more.”
Trump also criticized Moore’s opponent, Doug Jones, is a “Pelosi/Schumer puppet.”
“Putting Pelosi/Schumer Liberal Puppet Jones into office in Alabama would hurt our great Republican Agenda of low on taxes, tough on crime, strong on military and borders…& so much more,” Trump said in another tweet.
Moore tweeted his thanks, saying he can’t wait to help Trump “drain the swamp” — a main tenet of Trump’s campaign last year.
Moore has been accused of sexually assaulting and harassing girls as young as 14 in the 1970s when he was in his 30s — claims that have led a growing number of lawmakers to ask for him to quit of the race.
The White House said last month that Trump would not campaign for Moore and the Republican National Committee has stopped fundraising efforts in his behalf.
Last week, Moore blamed LGBT persons, liberals and socialists for the scandal.
“They’re liberals. They don’t hold conservative values,” Moore said. “They are socialists who want to change our way of life and put man above God and the government is our God.”
Moore faces Jones in the special election on Dec. 12, which is being held to fill the seat left vacant by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
