Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Gov. Brian Kemp’s office responded Monday to President Donald Trump’s demands to help him overturn Georgia’s election results with a reminder that state law ‘prohibits the governor from interfering in the election.’ The Georgia Republican has become a favorite target of Trump, who said Sunday he was ‘ashamed’ that he endorsed him in 2018 and tweeted Monday that the ‘hapless’ governor should use non-existent ’emergency powers.’ ‘Georgia law prohibits the governor from interfering in elections. The Secretary of State, who is an elected constitutional officer, has oversight over elections that cannot be overridden by executive order,’ said Kemp spokesman Cody Hall.”

“‘As the governor has said repeatedly, he will continue to follow the law and encourage the Secretary of State to take reasonable steps – including a sample audit of signatures – to restore trust and address serious issues that have been raised.’ The governor has been largely silent for weeks over Trump’s attacks, which have escalated after he became the first Republican to lose Georgia in a presidential vote in nearly 30 years. He said in a previous interview that he understands Trump’s ‘frustration’ but that the law clearly sets out his duties. The criticism could haunt Kemp through the 2022 midterms, when he is gearing up to face Stacey Abrams in a likely rematch. It appears increasingly possible that he might first have to survive a primary challenge from a Trump-backed adversary — perhaps Doug Collins, a four-term congressman now leading the president’s Georgia recount effort.”