Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is under fire from all sides as a growing number of Republicans call for him to drop out of the U.S. presidential race after being caught on tape making shockingly obscene comments about women.
Republican Vice Presidential nominee Mike Pence said in a statement Saturday he cannot condone or defend Trump’s comments about women.
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“As a husband and a father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump in the 11-year-old video released yesterday,” Pence said. “I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them.”
READ MORE: Donald Trump apologizes for saying he ‘can do anything’ to women in leaked 2005 video
GOP lawmaker Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois said Trump “should drop out,” and the RNC “should engage rules for emergency replacement,” while Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho called Mike Pence to replace Trump.
“[Trump’s] repeated actions and comments toward women have been disrespectful, profane and demeaning,” Crapo said in a statement Saturday. “I urge Donald Trump to step aside and allow the Republican Party to put forward a Conservative candidate like Mike Pence who can defeat Hillary Clinton.”
READ MORE: Donald Trump forced into apology as vile comments about women horrify Republicans
The list of outraged Republicans who condemned Trump’s comments and called for the GOP nominee to resign rapidly expanded Saturday to include former Republican presidential contender Carly Fiorina, New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse among several others.
High-ranking Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan and RNC Chair Reince Priebus had chastised Trump on Friday following the release of a 2005 tape where the GOP nominee can be heard making vulgar and sexually charged comments about women.
WATCH: Washington Post obtains video showing Donald Trump making vulgar comments about women
In the video, Trump is heard describing attempts to have sex with a married woman and bragging about kissing women without their consent and grabbing them because he is famous.
“When you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything,” Trump said. He adds seconds later: “Grab them by the p—-. You can do anything.”
Trump initially dismissed the recording as “locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago,” but following intense criticism was later forced to issue an apology.
“I’ve never said I am a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone that I am not,” he said in a 90-second video released after midnight Friday. “I’ve said and done things I regret and the words released today on this more than decade-old video are one of them.”
WATCH: Donald Trump apologizes for comments he made about women
Trump also went on to attack Hillary Clinton and her husband.
“I’ve said some foolish things but there is a big difference between the words and actions of other people,” Trump continued. “Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days. See you at the debate on Sunday.”
Can the GOP replace Trump?
Amid the growing number calls for Trump’s resignation, there are questions about whether the Republican Party would have enough time to replace the GOP candidate before the Nov. 8 election date.
Under “Rule 9” of the Republican National Committee rulebook, if the nominee withdraws for “reasons of death, declination, or otherwise” then the committee can replace him.
However, this would require gathering all 2,472 delegates to vote at another convention for a replacement candidate or by letting its 168-member body decide in a majority vote.
WATCH: Tim Kaine reacts to Trump’s leaked 2005 video comments
The move would be unprecedented as no major party has ever replaced a presidential candidate after securing the nomination.
Josh Putnam, a University of Georgia lecturer, Tweeted Friday that “there just isn’t enough time” to replace Trump.
And while some have said the RNC could use an interpretation of the phrase “or otherwise” to forcibly remove Trump, but this too is highly unlikely.
“Let’s be clear here: The rule is intended to fill vacancies, not to lay the groundwork for a replacement,” Putnam told The Washington Post. “Some have speculated that ‘otherwise’ is ambiguous. Taken out of context it is. However, under the provisions for filling vacancies, it clearly fills in any gap between death and declination (i.e.: a degenerative illness).”
Also complicating matters is the fact that millions have already voted according to the U.S. Elections Project.
Under The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) states have to distribute ballots at least 45 days before a federal election, meaning Trump’s name would remain on the ballot in most states.
Trump said he would not give up the GOP nomination under any circumstances.
“Zero chance I’ll quit,” he told The Wall Street Journal. He told The Washington Post: “I’d never withdraw. I’ve never withdrawn in my life.”
Here are some of the top GOP officials and lawmakers speaking out against Donald J. Trump.
*With files from the Associated Press.
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