Impeachment trial tests Trump’s grip on Senate government

President TrumpCIA chief threatened to resign for pushing to install Trump loyalist as MP: Azar report in departure letter says riot on Capitol Hill threatens to ‘tarnish’ administration achievements Justice Department Says Trump Should Get Trial Immunity For Rape Accusor MOREThe Senate’s relationship with Republicans faces its greatest test at its lowest point.

Many Republicans blame Trump for their loss of Senate majority and are furious that he put their lives on the line after an angry mob filled with people who believed his election conspiracy theories took by storm the Capitol last week.

Now those Republicans have a chance to vote to convict Trump in an impeachment trial – if they choose to do so. They could also vote to ban him permanently from holding public office.

“It had been a very unhealthy marriage for a long time… and now you know a lot of Republicans are very happy to be divorced,” said Doug Heye, a veteran GOP strategist and former Hill executive assistant. “There will still be political calculations they will make … but this is no longer a fractured relationship, it is a divorce.”

Trump’s brash style has repeatedly infuriated Republicans in the Senate, though they were careful not to cross him given his hold over the base and worked with him to appoint conservative judges, cut taxes and roll back the regulations of the Obama era.

But those ties are unraveling like never before after a steady stream of clashes after November.

It’s a big change from last year’s impeachment trial, when Trump’s acquittal was secured by a friendly Senate GOP.

Now majority leader in the Senate Mitch mcconnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi mom on when House sends impeachment article to Democratic senator from Senate: COVID-19 relief takes priority over impeachment trial The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden asks Congress to expand the largest relief response in U.S. history MORE (R-Ky.) Privately tells confidants that he believes Trump has committed unforeseeable offenses and that a conviction could help the party turn the page on Trump.

McConnell, in a letter to the GOP caucus, did not say how he would vote, saying he would listen to arguments. Other GOP senators are following his example.

“The attack on the US Capitol was an attack on democracy itself, and the president bears some responsibility for what happened. … If the Senate proceeds to an impeachment trial, I will do my jury duty and listen to the cases presented by both parties, ”said the senator. Rob portmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanGOP in Trump lineage as corporate donations freeze Trump calls for ‘NO violence’ amid threats around inauguration Security concerns rise ahead of Biden inauguration EN KNOW MORE (R-Ohio).

Some Republicans say it’s high time for their party to move on after four years of being largely defined by Trump, who had no qualms about throwing staunch allies under the bus.

“I think that our identity for several years has been built around an individual. We need to get back to where it is built around a set of ideas, principles and policies, ”the senator said. John ThuneJohn Randolph Thune For platform regulation, Congress should use European cheat sheet Streamline the pre-clearance process for medical and surgical procedures McConnell set to train Trump on political power for the last time EN KNOW MORE (RS.D.) told reporters after Wednesday’s attack.

Thune, whom Trump recently threatened to lose in a GOP primary, did not criticize the president by name, but cited the chaos created by his veto on the defense bill, threatening an end-of-end shutdown. year and boxing in the party’s ability to recognize that the president- elect Joe bidenJoe BidenAzar in departure letter says riot on Capitol Hill threatens to ‘tarnish’ administration’s accomplishments House Democrats introduce measures to oppose Trump’s bombshell to Saudis On The Money: Retail sales drop, latest sign of weakening economy | Fast food workers strike for minimum wage | US officials concerned about Mexico’s management of energy permits READ MORE won as the reasons they lost Georgia.

His. Chuck grassleyChuck Grassley McConnell on the verge of educating Trump on political power for the last time. Overnight healthcare: Biden unveils COVID-19 relief plan | Post-holiday surge hits deadly new records | Senate report says ‘broken’ system for insulin price hikes Report flaws of ‘broken’ system for insulin price spikes (R-Iowa), who like Thune is due for re-election in 2022, told reporters in Iowa that there were “very few opportunities” for Trump to lead the party, regardless of impeachment.

But speaking out against Trump, let alone voting to condemn him and potentially prevent him from occupying a future office, could cost Republicans their Senate seats if it motivates the main pro-Trump challenges.

Republicans are defending 20 seats in 2022, which means many Republicans will have their eye on midterm when considering a conviction.

“Any move they make and especially on something this big can lead to a real major challenge,” Heye said.

Axios-Ipsos poll highlights the schism that awaits Republicans: When asked to choose the best username, 56% of Republican respondents characterized themselves as “traditional Republicans” while 36% considered themselves to be Trump supporters.

Between the two groups, 91% of Trump supporters support him in challenging the election results, compared to 46% of mainstream Republicans. And 92% of Trump supporters want him to be the party’s candidate for 2024, compared to 41% of mainstream Republicans.

For now, most Republicans remain silent as they attempt to navigate a politically fluid situation and a constant stream of new developments.

There’s also the historical reality: GOP lawmakers are keenly aware that the sacking of the U.S. Capitol and Trump’s response will eclipse any other aspect of his legacy. And as more information about the attack comes out, they recognize it could get worse.

“I am really concerned that there will be more facts revealed in the future that will put me on the wrong side of this debate,” Michael mccaulMichael Thomas McCaul Lawmakers Push Back Trump’s Late Terrorist Designation for Yemen’s Houthis Foreign Opponents Shackle US After Capitol Riots Capitol Assault “ Damaged ” US Position in world, say lawmakers MORE (R-Texas) who, like most Republicans in the House, voted against impeachment.

His. Kevin cramerKevin John Cramer McConnell set to educate Trump on political power for last time regulator finalizes rule forcing banks to serve oil, gun companies Republican senators now regret not doing more to contain Trump PLUS (RN.D.), in an interview with CNBC, said it “seems unlikely” that there will be 67 votes in the Senate to condemn Trump. If every Democrat votes to condemn, they’ll need 17 GOP senators.

His. Cotton TomTom Bryant Cotton McConnell on the verge of educating Trump on political power for the last time The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump’s growing isolation as administration ends Cotton: Senate lacks the power to hold a impeachment lawsuit once Trump steps down MORE (R-Ark.), A 2024 candidate who opposed the overturning of election results, was one of the first GOP senators to make it clear he would not vote for a conviction, although ‘he did nothing to defend Trump.

Cotton said he does not believe the Senate has the power, under the Constitution, to hold an impeachment trial after a president leaves.

His. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden Calls on Congress to Expand Biggest Relief Response in U.S. History McConnell Set to Listen to Trump on Political Power for Last Time Additional Airlines Ban guns on flights to DC ahead of inauguration LEARN MORE (RS.C.) calls his colleagues privately to urge them to oppose Trump’s conviction and said in a public statement that supporting the effort would do “great damage … to the party.”

But it seems guaranteed that Democrats will receive more support from the GOP than in 2020, when Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt Romney ‘Almost Heaven, West Virginia’ – Joe Manchin and a Senate 50-50 The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden calls on Congress to expand largest relief response in U.S. history McConnell on the point of listening to Trump on political power for the last time MORE (Utah) was the only Republican to support one of the articles of impeachment.

His. Ben sasseBen SasseSasse: Rioters on Capitol Hill ‘came dangerously close to triggering a bloody constitutional crisis’ McConnell set to listen to Trump on political power for the last time McConnell: Trump impeachment trial set to begin after Biden has taken the oath MORE (R-Neb.) Said he was open to consideration of any item passed by the House. Sen. Susan collinsSusan Margaret Collins ‘Almost Heaven, West Virginia’ – Joe Manchin and a 50-50 Senate McConnell Set to Last School Trump on Political Power McConnell Says He Is Undecided on Whether to Vote to Condemn Trump MORE (R-Maine) remains silent on the trial but said in an op-ed that Trump “incited” the rioters.

Meaning. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph Toomey Government used Patriot Act to collect logs of website visitors in 2019 Appeals court says NSA bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford steps down as committee chair coronavirus surveillance READ MORE (R-Pa.) And Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann Murkowski ‘Almost Heaven, West Virginia’ – Joe Manchin and a Senate 50-50 The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden Calls on Congress to Expand Biggest Relief Response in U.S. History Murkowski says it would be ‘appropriate’ to ban Trump from returning to office MORE (R-Alaska) called on Trump to step down.

Murkowski took it a step further, saying in a statement that she believed the House had acted “appropriately” in impeaching Trump, while declining to say how she would ultimately vote in a trial.

“On the day of the riots, President Trump’s words incited violence, which resulted in injuries and deaths of Americans – including a Capitol Police officer – the desecration of the Capitol, and briefly interfered with the ability government to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Said Murkowski. “Such illegal actions cannot be without consequences.”