washington president donald trump find sexual misconduct allegations u.s. senate candidate roy moore trouble think leave race true white house say thursday party leaders alabama stand nominee trump position go far republican leaders washington say believe women accuse former alabama supreme court chief justice demand moore withdraw race dec. 12 vote president believe allegations trouble take seriously white house spokeswoman sarah sanders say news brief president say statement early week allegations true roy moore step aside still firmly believe say ask president endorsement moore still stand sanders say trump think alabama voters decide winner race trump support republican national committee decision withdraw resources contest sanders add past week multiple women accuse moore sexual improprieties unwanted romantic advance say occur decades ago women teenagers time 30s moore 70 deny wrongdoing marry christian conservative say victim witch hunt refuse drop race allegations untrue evidence support moore tell news conference thursday 20 supporters include religious leaders say still back candidacy tweet accuse u.s. senate republican leader mitch mcconnell others try steal election people alabama alabama republican party thursday say 21-member steer committee would continue support moore deserve presume innocent accusations unless prove otherwise state party chairwoman terry lathan say statement reuters unable independently verify allegations women allegations surface moore heavily favor defeat democrat doug jones special election next month moore score decisive republican primary victory september luther strange appoint fill vacant seat jeff sessions become u.s. attorney general early year trump back strange primary throw support moore strange defeat poll release wednesday senate republicans campaign arm show jones surge 12-point lead since accusations become public democratic win alabama would blow trump agenda shift political outlook next year congressional elections give democrats strong shoot recapture control senate republicans currently hold 52 seat 100-member upper chamber trump say u.s. senate candidate moore leave race allegations true