WASHINGTON — President Trump kicked off his workweek with Twitter posts in support of Roy S. Moore, the Republican Senate candidate in Alabama embroiled in accusations that he had inappropriate sexual relations with underage girls.
While many Republicans called for Mr. Moore to drop out of the race after several women came out with their stories, Mr. Trump has defended him, saying that Mr. Moore denied the accounts and deserved to be heard.
"We need Roy Moore to win in Alabama," Mr. Trump said in an early morning Twitter post on Monday.
Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican Roy Moore to win in Alabama. We need his vote on stopping crime, illegal immigration, Border Wall, Military, Pro Life, V.A., Judges 2nd Amendment and more. No to Jones, a Pelosi/Schumer Puppet!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Dec. 4, 2017
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. Look at your 401-k's since Election. Highest Stock Market EVER! Jobs are roaring back!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Dec. 4, 2017
Mr. Moore, a former state Supreme Court judge, has been accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl and of sexually assaulting another teenager when he was a prosecutor in his 30s. He has denied any sexual misconduct, and rejected all calls to quit the race.
The fight over the highly contested Senate seat, which became vacant when Mr. Trump tapped Jeff Sessions to be his attorney general, comes at a time when sexual misconduct has become a national discussion.
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Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader from Kentucky, was initially outspoken in his support of the women who accused Mr. Moore, saying he had no reason not to believe their stories. But on Sunday, Mr. McConnell said he was going to let the people of Alabama decide.
Mr. McConnell has said that the Senate Ethics Committee should investigate the allegations against Mr. Moore if he is elected.
The special election is Dec. 12.
An earlier version of this article misstated the given name of the Republican candidate for Senate in Alabama. He is Roy S. Moore, not Ray.
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