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Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn warned on Saturday that Donald Trump’s second indictment could lead to lawsuits against former Democratic presidents if Republicans take over Congress in two years.
Trump this month became the first U.S. president to be twice impeached, after the Democratic-controlled House, with the backing of 10 Republicans, voted to charge him with inciting insurgency over the assault on the Capitol by his supporters on January 6, which left five people dead.
Trump failed to undo his electoral defeat and Joe Biden was sworn in as president this week.
After a brief moment of bipartisan sentiment in which members of both parties condemned the unprecedented attack on Congress as it gathered to formalize Biden’s victory, a number of Senate Republicans oppose the trial Trump, which could lead to a vote blocking him from future office.
“If it’s a good idea to impeach and try former presidents, what about former Democratic presidents when Republicans get a majority in 2022?” Cornyn, a 19-year Senate veteran who tried to distance himself from Trump last year when it appeared his seat was in jeopardy, tweeted Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“Think about it and do what’s best for the country.”
Democrats hold narrow majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate, but it’s common for a presidential party to lose election seats two years after a presidential election. The arraignment begins in the House. The Senate organizes any trial.
Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Capitol coup mob was “provoked” by Trump – who told his supporters to step on Congress and “fight like hell”. Other Republicans in the Senate say trying Trump after he leaves would be unconstitutional and further divide the country.
Both sides of the aisle also fear the lawsuit may hijack Biden’s legislative agenda. Schumer, who became majority leader this week, tweeted on Friday that the Senate would confirm Biden’s cabinet, enact a new back-up plan for Covid-19 and lead Trump’s impeachment trial.
The trial is due to take place the second week of February.
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