Read on Twitter
Thread of Republican senator statements on why they voted Guilty/Not Guilty on Trump's impeachment on incitement of insurrection 1/ https://twitter.com/StevenTDennis/status/1360965712806871043
Bill Cassidy:
"A president upholding his oath to 'preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution' would have activated the National Guard and told rioters to go home at the first opportunity. President Trump did not..." https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/article_67fa0a74-6ee1-11eb-8bd4-6bda88cda171.html
"A president upholding his oath to 'preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution' would have activated the National Guard and told rioters to go home at the first opportunity. President Trump did not..." https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/article_67fa0a74-6ee1-11eb-8bd4-6bda88cda171.html
Bill Cassidy cont'd https://twitter.com/StevenTDennis/status/1360993384777801730?s=20
Mitch McConnell's floor speech explaining his vote to acquit on procedural grounds while declaring Trump "practically and morally responsible" for the riot https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/1360705708245864451?s=20
Susan Collins explains her vote to convict Trump. https://twitter.com/SenatorCollins/status/1360725182491549697?s=20
Mitt Romney: Trump attempted to "corrupt the election" https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1360722571004678147?s=20
Richard Burr:
"When the crowd became violent, the President used his office to first inflame the situation instead of immediately calling for an end to the assault...By what he did and *by what he did not do*, President Trump violated his oath of office"
https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senator-burr-statement-on-vote-to-convict-former-president-trump-on-article-of-impeachment
"When the crowd became violent, the President used his office to first inflame the situation instead of immediately calling for an end to the assault...By what he did and *by what he did not do*, President Trump violated his oath of office"
https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senator-burr-statement-on-vote-to-convict-former-president-trump-on-article-of-impeachment
Ben Sasse:
"If Congress cannot forcefully respond to an intimidation attack on Article I instigated by the head of Article II, our constitutional balance will be permanently tilted." https://www.sasse.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/2/sasse-statement-on-impeachment-trial
"If Congress cannot forcefully respond to an intimidation attack on Article I instigated by the head of Article II, our constitutional balance will be permanently tilted." https://www.sasse.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/2/sasse-statement-on-impeachment-trial
Toomey: "A lawless attempt to retain power by a president was one of the founders’ greatest fears motivating the inclusion of the impeachment authorities in the U.S. Constitution...His betrayal of the Constitution & his oath of office required conviction”
https://www.toomey.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/toomey-statement-on-conclusion-of-impeachment-trial
https://www.toomey.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/toomey-statement-on-conclusion-of-impeachment-trial
Todd Young: "I remain troubled and saddened by the events leading up to and on the day of the Capitol riots. *However*, it is improper under the present circumstances for the former president of the United States to be subject to an impeachment trial..." https://twitter.com/SenToddYoung/status/1360696199804817408?s=20
Young's statement, like a lot of the statements you'll see following in this thread, avoided any explicit criticism or defense of Trump's behavior.
Ernst: "...my concern is with the constitutionality of these proceedings..." + worry about frequent partisan impeachments. No mention of Jan. 6 or Trump's actions. https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/1360719864118333443?s=20
Grassley said he doesn't think trials of former presidents are unconstitutional, doesn't think the House proved incitement but left open possibility they could have proven Trump guilty of other charges and sharply criticized Trump https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-impeachment-trial
Sullivan wrote that Trump's disregard for Pence infuriated him & dinged Trump for bad judgment, actions before the riot & inaction after it began.
But he attacked House for snap "partisan" impeachment, lack of due process and said trial unconstitutional https://twitter.com/SenDanSullivan/status/1360774123094503424?s=20
But he attacked House for snap "partisan" impeachment, lack of due process and said trial unconstitutional https://twitter.com/SenDanSullivan/status/1360774123094503424?s=20
One thing you won't find in statements' like Sullivan's is any acknowledgement that Mitch McConnell refused to convene the Senate to try Trump while he was still in office; McConnell contended 1 week was not enough time for a fair, serious trial, etc.
Rob Portman said he thinks convicting an ex-president would have been unconstitutional, but said the criminal justice system "is where the issues raised by the president's inexcusable actions and words must be addressed." https://twitter.com/senrobportman/status/1360716109058617352?s=20
Cornyn warns of a "dangerous" precedent of impeaching former presidents (the House impeached Trump while he was president), and says offenses can be prosecuted after presidents leave office.
"I believe that is the Constitutional method of accountability" https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/news/cornyn-statement-impeachment-trial-former-president-trump
"I believe that is the Constitutional method of accountability" https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/news/cornyn-statement-impeachment-trial-former-president-trump
Cornyn has also called Trump's speech "reckless and incendiary" but said too many public officials have used such language. "We all need to be more careful with our words and how they may be perceived by others..."
Backs 9/11 commission-style investigation
Backs 9/11 commission-style investigation
Thread continues here: https://twitter.com/StevenTDennis/status/1361429609460494355?s=20
