Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell announced his willingness to vote on the conviction of former president Donald Trump on January 13, but has since changed his mind. McConnell, supposedly livid about the insurrection on January 6, has backed down from his support of legal conviction in order to avoid a large-scale fight, or even censure, from the Republican party. On Tuesday, 45 GOP senators voted that Trump’s impeachment was unconstitutional because he is no longer holding office, meaning impeachment will not pass. There would need to be at least 17 Republican votes to secure the 67 needed to finalize impeachment, and with the Republican senators speaking against it, those numbers are highly unlikely.
The Republican senators continuing to protect Trump goes to show the enormous amount of power he still has over the party. As previously mentioned, GOP senators are saying the impeachment trial is unconstitutional because Trump has left office, but Democratic senators are arguing the impeachment of a former secretary of state in 1876 who had already resigned from the position, questioning why the rules are being bended for Trump.
Biden has stated his support for the impeachment of Trump, however he has also recognized the lack of support from Republican senators, knowing without 2/3 votes, Trump will avoid impeachment for the second time. Biden stated if Trump had 6 months left of his term, the 17 votes needed for impeachment would be absolutely achievable.
If you have any further questions, please contact CIMA Law Group.
CIMA Law Group Blog 