A Dec.15 story from WRAL made national headlines after it reported that Republican State Senator Bob Steinburg, whose district includes Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties, “suggested…that the president might suspend basic liberties to overturn an election that he believes, without evidence, was stolen.” (NC senator OK with suspending civil liberties in wake of Trump’s defeat)
In a Dec. 16 Voice interview, Steinburg said that “I’m not calling for sedition,” but did assert his belief that the election was stolen and that strong measures might be required.
The WRAL article noted that Steinburg “paraphrased on his Facebook page comments that retired Gen. Thomas McInerney made earlier this month on a conservative talk show. Among other things, McInerney suggested President Donald Trump declare a national emergency, invoke the Insurrection Act and suspend habeas corpus…Steinburg told WRAL News…that he wasn’t endorsing the idea, just ‘putting out there options that others say still remain on the table,’ though he later said he’d be on board with it.”
“Steinburg also made it clear he believes the recent presidential election was stolen,” the story continued, “and that Trump is the victim of a conspiracy to which multiple countries, the media, U.S. government agencies, officials and judges are either a part or turning a blind eye.”
In his interview with Voice, Steinburg acknowledged that he had posted McInerney’s comments, adding that he would consider “options” such as suspending civil liberties “if there is evidence of foreign interference with this election…That’s the key.”
Asked if he believed such interference occurred, Steinburg responded that “I’m hearing things from people” and from pro-Trump outlets such as the Epoch Times and Newsmax, to suggest it is true. Despite the fact that no evidence of widespread voter fraud has emerged — as well as the dozens of court rulings rejecting such claims by Trump and his allies — Steinburg described a series of what he viewed as election irregularities to bolster doubts about the results.
And Steinburg has allied himself with those Republicans who are not yet recognizing a Biden victory, even after the Electoral College ratified it on Dec. 14.
“Absolutely not,” he said, in response to a question about whether he considered Biden to be President elect. “Not by a long shot. He won’t be the president until he’s sworn in on the 20th.”
A former NC House member, Steinburg was elected to the District 1 NC Senate seat vacated by the retiring Bill Cook in 2018. This year, he was re-elected after defeating Democratic challenger Tess Judge by about 10 percentage points.
Comments
Larsen: It certainly is embarrassing to be represented by a man who has difficulty distinguishing between reality and Trump fantasy. Thursday, Dec 17 @ 12:13 pm
Big Dicky: Speechless. Just when you thought N.C. was on its way out of the dark age. Thursday, Dec 17 @ 1:03 pm
outis: When Mr. Steinburg, or should I say “Bats-in-the-belfry Bob” (I’m giving him a snappy nickname like Mr.Trump assigns to people), says “I’m hearing things from people”, is he referring to the little voices that are whispering in his head? And when he suggests the suspension of civil liberties, which civil liberties is he thinking about? The right against unreasonable search and seizure? The right to free speech? The right to vote? Or even the right of non-resident property owners to access their “other residences” in Dare County? Oops, we already tried that one. It didn’t go over too well. and can’t be done anymore. So, when is “Bats-in-the-belfry Bob” going to send in the Brownshirts and Stormtroopers to clamp down on our civil liberties? When the little voices in his head tell him to? Thursday, Dec 17 @ 1:16 pm
N.C. Transplant: Mr Steinberg will surely not ever be elected to office again. He is a threat to democracy. Thursday, Dec 17 @ 1:53 pm
hightider: Steinburg ain’t even from here. I grew up in Edenton and the bluebloods there – the people with local power – won’t get their hands dirty doing something as plebian as politics. Most of the time getting a politician to work for you is as hard as getting a decent repairman to come out. Thursday, Dec 17 @ 5:19 pm
Obxboxer: No f***ing way?!?!? I didn’t vote for him or support him based on his policies but I had no idea this guy was that nuts! Wow! I love dare co and as a life long resident I am so embarrassed he is speaking on our behalf. He is no republican! He’s just an idiot! Just assume anyone who says “I’m hearing things from people” is a liar and is being vague for a reason. Thursday, Dec 17 @ 5:34 pm
