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Aides expects Trump to primarily watch the debates on television throughout the day. But without Twitter, a campaign rally, a team of lawyers or Republicans ready to defend his actions, Trump is ready to overcome historic shame in a moderate way.
It’s a distant cry from the first time he was impeached, when aides staged a campaign rally in aptly named Battle Creek, Mich. To coincide with the House vote.
At the rally, which took place as members were dismissing him, his press secretary came out into the crowd to hold up a sign displaying the total votes.
“We have all Republicans (to vote) for us!” Trump sang when he saw the final tally, adding at another point, “It doesn’t really feel like we’re impeached.”
While other Republicans oppose impeachment because they say it “divides,” they don’t defend Trump on the merits of what he’s being impeached for: inciting an insurgency.
Social media blackout
Trump’s means of responding to impeachment are also limited. Usually, aides took to Twitter for the president’s first response to being the only president in history to be impeached twice. Likewise, would Republican members of Congress fear what might appear on Trump’s wire if they decided to break up with him and vote for his impeachment.
But Trump’s account has been permanently suspended – and with it his main weapon in securing GOP loyalty.
As Trump spoke out against his suspension, telling reporters this week that free speech was under threat, CNN learned that a new effort by one of its top advisers to prevent him from emerging on marginal platforms in place of the main ones which have been prohibited. .
Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner intervened when other officials attempted to restore the president’s social media presence to sites that are often havens for extremists like Gab in the wake of an unprecedented ban on several major platforms.
These officials initially attempted to use other Twitter accounts, including those run by campaign officials, to tweet on behalf of Trump.
The White House did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment.
The White House said in a statement this week it opposes the impeachment, and Trump denounced the process on Tuesday.
“It causes a tremendous amount of anger, division and pain far greater than most people will ever understand, which is very dangerous for the United States, especially at this very tender time,” he said. during his visit to Texas. The White House statement from Assistant Press Secretary Judd Deere read: “A politically motivated indictment against a president 12 days before his term ends will only serve to further divide our great country.”
More isolated than ever
Trump’s second indictment comes at a time when he has been more isolated than ever. Several of his cabinet secretaries – those who did not resign in protest – are avoiding him, his relationship with the vice president remains fractured and several of his senior officials are expected to step down this week.
Several of those top aides told CNN they have no plans to delay their departure due to the president’s impeachment.
In the White House, Trump’s defenses are almost invisible.
Two sources told CNN that Trump has said he will bring back Alan Dershowitz after his stint in Trump’s defense in the first impeachment proceedings. Trump has told people that Dershowitz’s defense against him in the Senate saved him in his last trial. Rudy Giuliani is also expected to be involved, although no concrete legal strategy was developed on Wednesday morning, even if Trump were to be impeached within hours.
Several figures from Trump’s latest indictment – including Jay Sekulow and Kenneth Starr – have refused to get involved. White House attorney Pat Cipollone is also not expected to play a role and has considered stepping down following last week’s insurgency. Trump has despised Cipollone for months now.
Trump has discussed the issuance of pardons for himself and his children with new urgency since the attack on the U.S. Capitol, several sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
While some aides have been working to organize events this week to polish what remains of Trump’s legacy – like diplomacy and deregulation in the Middle East – he has shown little interest.
His remarks touting the construction of a border wall in Texas on Tuesday lasted only 20 minutes and was overtaken by his comments accusing the “anger” of impeachment and his suspension from social media platforms.
The only other event on his schedule for this week – a Freedom Medal Ceremony Thursday honoring New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick – is on hold after Belichick said he would not participate not.
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