Gingrich on Roy Moore: Amazing how fast ‘lynch mob’ can form

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said on Monday that it’s amazing how quickly a “lynch mob” can form in the wake of the sexual misconduct allegations against Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

“This guy’s never had a jury trial, he’s never been indicted, there’s never been a chance to measure up against his accusers,” Gingrich said during a radio interview with Sean Hannity.

“I’m not defending him, I’m just saying it’s amazing to me … how rapidly the lynch mob can form.”

He said the burden is on Moore to “convince” those in Alabama he is worthy of being a senator.

{mosads}”I am frankly a little disappointed in people in Washington who take the totally phony news of The Washington Post, immediately rush to judgment,” Gingrich said.

He also said it would be “destructive” to set up a write-in campaign in the Alabama Senate race.

The Washington Post reported last week that a woman accused Moore of initiating a sexual encounter with her in 1979, when she was 14 and he was 32. Three other women in the report say Moore pursued relationships with them when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s.

On Monday, another woman came forward to accuse Moore of sexually assaulting her in a parking lot in 1977, when she was 16.

Moore has denied the allegations and indicated he plans to continue running in the race, despite growing calls from lawmakers for him to step aside.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday called for Moore to step aside, along with other top Republicans.