45 of 50 Senate Republicans Oppose Trump Trial

 

The Hill is reporting that 45 of 50 Republicans in the US Senate voted in favor of a motion made by Sen. Rand Paul contending that the proposed impeachment trial of former President Trump is unconstitutional.  Story here.  All 50 Senate Democrats voted against the motion.

The five dissenting Republicans are:

  • Mitt Romney (UT)
  • Ben Sasse (NE)
  • Susan Collins (ME)
  • Lisa Murkowski (AK)
  • Pat Toomey (PA)

This is a very strong indication that there are insufficient votes in the Senate to convict the former President.

Note that the vote on this issue does not indicate that the five Senators listed above will necessarily vote to convict, if the Senate leadership proceeds with the trial.

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  1. Anon Inactive
    Anon
    @Anon

    For every politician voting should have nothing to do with political party. Inevitably, the exercise of political power is an expression of what one truly believes in, substantiated by principle. If a politician truly believes that what Pelosi and Schumer are selling is in fact constitutional, then he or she should vote with them and let their constituents either support or protest by their votes. The problem with that, as it so often is, is that most constituents probably do not understand the constitution.

    • #91
  2. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump has said that he could shot someone on Fifth Avenue, and his supporters would still support him.

    Setting aside that Trump is facing only disqualification, and not removal, is there anything that he could have done to merit impeachment and conviction? Is there anything that any President has ever done which would have merited impeachment and conviction?

    And Barack Obama ‘threatened’ potential suitors of his daughters with Hellfire missiles from drones. Your argument is mendacious.

    • #92
  3. Misthiocracy got drunk and Member
    Misthiocracy got drunk and
    @Misthiocracy

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio…: Note that the vote on this issue does not indicate that the five Senators listed above will necessarily vote to convict, if the Senate leadership proceeds with the trial.

    If they do, it’s a pretty good wager that the Chief Justice will refuse to preside because he’s only Constitutionally-required to preside over Presidential impeachment trials.

    • #93
  4. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Misthiocracy got drunk and (View Comment):

    If they do, it’s a pretty good wager that the Chief Justice will refuse to preside because he’s only Constitutionally-required to preside over Presidential impeachment trials.

    He had refused prior to the vote. That was the first whack with the clue bat.

    • #94
  5. DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone Member
    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    Misthiocracy got drunk and (View Comment):

    If they do, it’s a pretty good wager that the Chief Justice will refuse to preside because he’s only Constitutionally-required to preside over Presidential impeachment trials.

    He had refused prior to the vote. That was the first whack with the clue bat.

    It also didn’t dissuade our awful political class at all.

    • #95
  6. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone (View Comment):

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    Misthiocracy got drunk and (View Comment):

    If they do, it’s a pretty good wager that the Chief Justice will refuse to preside because he’s only Constitutionally-required to preside over Presidential impeachment trials.

    He had refused prior to the vote. That was the first whack with the clue bat.

    It also didn’t dissuade our awful political class at all.

    They are pretty impervious to whacks from clue bats.

    • #96
  7. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Anon (View Comment):

    For every politician voting should have nothing to do with political party. Inevitably, the exercise of political power is an expression of what one truly believes in, substantiated by principle. If a politician truly believes that what Pelosi and Schumer are selling is in fact constitutional, then he or she should vote with them and let their constituents either support or protest by their votes. The problem with that, as it so often is, is that most constituents probably do not understand the constitution.

    We are in a habit of electing people who hold their elected positions to enhance their own lives. This is the result we get. Tulsi Gabbard is much admired for how she speaks up against her Party leaders on behalf of America..

    • #97
  8. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    WI Con (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump has said that he could shot someone on Fifth Avenue, and his supporters would still support him.

    Setting aside that Trump is facing only disqualification, and not removal, is there anything that he could have done to merit impeachment and conviction? Is there anything that any President has ever done which would have merited impeachment and conviction?

    And Barack Obama ‘threatened’ potential suitors of his daughters with Hellfire missiles from drones. Your argument is mendacious.

    Do you have any daughters?

    • #98
  9. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Misthiocracy got drunk and (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio…: Note that the vote on this issue does not indicate that the five Senators listed above will necessarily vote to convict, if the Senate leadership proceeds with the trial.

    If they do, it’s a pretty good wager that the Chief Justice will refuse to preside because he’s only Constitutionally-required to preside over Presidential impeachment trials.

    Presiding over an impeachment trial is outside of Robert’s wheelhouse.

    • #99
  10. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    I’m less certain about Nixon, as I don’t know the facts of the Watergate situation very well. As I understand it, the charge was something like conspiracy to cover up a crime, which is akin to being an accessory after the fact. I don’t think that he knew of the break-in in advance. It’s a borderline case, in my view.

    This is quasi-OT, and perhaps a disservice to the thread. I recognize your disclaimer on knowledge, but Nixon, on tape, would have been appropriately charged with a cover-up. I don’t think there’s a reasonable question about that.

    I don’t know. Have you listened to the tape, or read the transcript?

    I just read it (here), and it seems a bit sleazy, but minor. It’s not like he’s putting a hit on witnesses. As I said, it may have technically been a crime, but I question whether it is sufficiently serious to warrant removing a President from office.

    Listened and read.  I get obstruction of justice pretty clearly–a high crime or misdemeanor.

    • #100
  11. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump has said that he could shot someone on Fifth Avenue, and his supporters would still support him.

    Setting aside that Trump is facing only disqualification, and not removal, is there anything that he could have done to merit impeachment and conviction? Is there anything that any President has ever done which would have merited impeachment and conviction?

    And Barack Obama ‘threatened’ potential suitors of his daughters with Hellfire missiles from drones. Your argument is mendacious.

    Do you have any daughters?

    Have you ever been on Fifth Avenue?

    • #101
  12. DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone Member
    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone
    @DrewInWisconsin

    You want reasons Obama should be impeached?

    Here are 10. (There are more.)

    President Trump was a saint compared to that monster. But oh, he had nice pants creases, and didn’t you just get a thrill down your leg?

    • #102
  13. Bishop Wash Member
    Bishop Wash
    @BishopWash

    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone (View Comment):

    You want reasons Obama should be impeached?

    Here are 10. (There are more.)

    President Trump was a saint compared to that monster. But oh, he had nice pants creases, and didn’t you just get a thrill down your leg?

    Are you bringing up that tan suit again?

    Really though, does anyone remember that incident? I vaguely do, but like the Starbucks red Christmas cup, I think it was more of the Left combating a made-up Conservative complaint. We now have a President with serious concerns about foreign influence and nuts on Twitter are glad for the good ol’ days when the biggest scandal was wearing a tan suit. As you list, Obama had plenty of scandals, they just weren’t covered.

    • #103
  14. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump has said that he could shot someone on Fifth Avenue, and his supporters would still support him.

    Setting aside that Trump is facing only disqualification, and not removal, is there anything that he could have done to merit impeachment and conviction? Is there anything that any President has ever done which would have merited impeachment and conviction?

    And Barack Obama ‘threatened’ potential suitors of his daughters with Hellfire missiles from drones. Your argument is mendacious.

    Do you have any daughters?

    Have you ever been on Fifth Avenue?

    Touche!

    • #104
  15. MWD B612 "Dawg" Member
    MWD B612 "Dawg"
    @danok1

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Misthiocracy got drunk and (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio…: Note that the vote on this issue does not indicate that the five Senators listed above will necessarily vote to convict, if the Senate leadership proceeds with the trial.

    If they do, it’s a pretty good wager that the Chief Justice will refuse to preside because he’s only Constitutionally-required to preside over Presidential impeachment trials.

    Presiding over an impeachment trial is outside of Robert’s wheelhouse.

    I don’t get this comment. Mr. Justice Roberts presided over the impeachment trial last year.

    • #105
  16. MWD B612 "Dawg" Member
    MWD B612 "Dawg"
    @danok1

    Bishop Wash (View Comment):

    Dotorimuk (View Comment):

    Saint Augustine (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Setting aside that Trump is facing only disqualification, and not removal, is there anything that he could have done to merit impeachment and conviction? Is there anything that any President has ever done which would have merited impeachment and conviction?

    I’ve already listed three things I could support impeachment over.

    Or if he and his administration had done, for example, some of them things Obama and his administration did. I could go for that.

    Or, indeed, shooting someone.

    Or running guns to Mexico, drone-striking American citizens etc.

    Using the IRS to squash your political opponents.

    Obama AND Nixon!

    • #106
  17. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    I believe that Toomey has already announced his retirement.  I hope he likes the donation that GR just sent him.  I don’t know who has announced running for his seat.  PA people?  I hope all the other four are primaried and replaced by real conservatives.  This is McConnell’s fault for not putting a short leash on his caucus.  They should all be voting in lockstep now, and making Harris break ties for every single piece of legislation proposed by the New Regime.

    • #107
  18. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    Hammer, The (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I have already sent in a campaign contribution today to Senators Collins, Murkowski, Romney, Sasse, and Toomey, I know that Toomey is not running again, and that Collins and Sasse were just re-elected. I wanted to make a point. I also contributed to the Brave 10 members of the House today.

    That is an interesting take, Gary. I’m not sure that voting with the majority can be considered “brave.” Did you read Rand Paul’s speech? I am genuinely interested in what you think about that.

    I thought is was really good.

     

     

     

    Wow, Hugh is really getting old.  And he’s another of those like Mueller and Barr who had their peak in the 70s or 80s but are still trying to cling to relevance.

    • #108
  19. DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone Member
    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone
    @DrewInWisconsin

    MWD B612 "Dawg" (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Misthiocracy got drunk and (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio…: Note that the vote on this issue does not indicate that the five Senators listed above will necessarily vote to convict, if the Senate leadership proceeds with the trial.

    If they do, it’s a pretty good wager that the Chief Justice will refuse to preside because he’s only Constitutionally-required to preside over Presidential impeachment trials.

    Presiding over an impeachment trial is outside of Robert’s wheelhouse.

    I don’t get this comment. Mr. Justice Roberts presided over the impeachment trial last year.

    Yes, Constitutionally, the chief justice is to preside over impeachment.

    • #109
  20. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    Misthiocracy got drunk and (View Comment):

    If they do, it’s a pretty good wager that the Chief Justice will refuse to preside because he’s only Constitutionally-required to preside over Presidential impeachment trials.

    He had refused prior to the vote. That was the first whack with the clue bat.

    I think I prefer the terminology “clue-by-four.”  But yeah.

    • #110
  21. DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone Member
    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone
    @DrewInWisconsin

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    I believe that Toomey has already announced his retirement. I hope he likes the donation that GR just sent him.

    Gary didn’t really send any donation to Toomey, et al. Gary just says that kind of thing to see what kind of reaction he’ll get.

    • #111
  22. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone (View Comment):

    You want reasons Obama should be impeached?

    Here are 10. (There are more.)

    President Trump was a saint compared to that monster. But oh, he had nice pants creases, and didn’t you just get a thrill down your leg?

    Chris Matthews definitely gets SOMETHING down his leg, and Biden likely does too.

    • #112
  23. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    I believe that Toomey has already announced his retirement. I hope he likes the donation that GR just sent him.

    Gary didn’t really send any donation to Toomey, et al. Gary just says that kind of thing to see what kind of reaction he’ll get.

    Otherwise known as  . . . 

    • #113
  24. Dbroussa Coolidge
    Dbroussa
    @Dbroussa

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I have already sent in a campaign contribution today to Senators Collins, Murkowski, Romney, Sasse, and Toomey, I know that Toomey is not running again, and that Collins and Sasse were just re-elected. I wanted to make a point. I also contributed to the Brave 10 members of the House today.

    Get your donations in to Quid Pro Joe’s campaign in 2024, or VP Harris’ while you are at it.

    • #114
  25. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump has said that he could shot someone on Fifth Avenue, and his supporters would still support him.

    Setting aside that Trump is facing only disqualification, and not removal, is there anything that he could have done to merit impeachment and conviction? Is there anything that any President has ever done which would have merited impeachment and conviction?

    And Barack Obama ‘threatened’ potential suitors of his daughters with Hellfire missiles from drones. Your argument is mendacious.

    Do you have any daughters?

    Have you ever been on Fifth Avenue?

    I’ve EATEN a Fifth Avenue.  Not bad.  But I prefer a Payday or Butterfinger.  These days I mostly get Take 5, those are great!

    • #115
  26. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    I believe that Toomey has already announced his retirement. I hope he likes the donation that GR just sent him.

    Gary didn’t really send any donation to Toomey, et al. Gary just says that kind of thing to see what kind of reaction he’ll get.

    He didn’t?  Are you saying Gary lied? And him a lawyer and all. (Then again – maybe par for the course for a lawyer.)

    Pshaw. I want him to send money to these losers. It’s the best thing he can do to support the conservative cause. Pouring money down ratholes prevents it from going to where it might actually do some damage to conservatives.

    • #116
  27. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump has said that he could shot someone on Fifth Avenue, and his supporters would still support him.

    Setting aside that Trump is facing only disqualification, and not removal, is there anything that he could have done to merit impeachment and conviction? Is there anything that any President has ever done which would have merited impeachment and conviction?

    And Barack Obama ‘threatened’ potential suitors of his daughters with Hellfire missiles from drones. Your argument is mendacious.

    Do you have any daughters?

    Have you ever been on Fifth Avenue?

    I’ve EATEN a Fifth Avenue. Not bad. But I prefer a Payday or Butterfinger. These days I mostly get Take 5, those are great!

    I’m glad you got the sense of this post since Gary showed up.

    • #117
  28. Dbroussa Coolidge
    Dbroussa
    @Dbroussa

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    I think that the Clinton impeachment was viable, but politically unwise, in hindsight. He did commit perjury, but it was a rather petty perjury.

    I’m less certain about Nixon, as I don’t know the facts of the Watergate situation very well. As I understand it, the charge was something like conspiracy to cover up a crime, which is akin to being an accessory after the fact. I don’t think that he knew of the break-in in advance. It’s a borderline case, in my view.

    Clinton also suborned perjury which is one of the most serious affronts to our legal system.  Lying to the court is bad, getting someone else to lie to the court is even worse.

    Nixon was going to be impeached and convicted, which is why he resigned.  He would have been convicted because he, like Clinton, obstructed the legal system, destroyed evidence, and suborned perjury.

     

     

    • #118
  29. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    Dbroussa (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    I think that the Clinton impeachment was viable, but politically unwise, in hindsight. He did commit perjury, but it was a rather petty perjury.

    I’m less certain about Nixon, as I don’t know the facts of the Watergate situation very well. As I understand it, the charge was something like conspiracy to cover up a crime, which is akin to being an accessory after the fact. I don’t think that he knew of the break-in in advance. It’s a borderline case, in my view.

    Clinton also suborned perjury which is one of the most serious affronts to our legal system. Lying to the court is bad, getting someone else to lie to the court is even worse.

    Nixon was going to be impeached and convicted, which is why he resigned. He would have been convicted because he, like Clinton, obstructed the legal system, destroyed evidence, and suborned perjury.

     

     

    Lying to the court is bad?  Well, that depends upon what the definition of the word “is”, is…

    • #119
  30. Dbroussa Coolidge
    Dbroussa
    @Dbroussa

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):
    I think that the Trump impeachments were very weak.

    Also, the Founders did not intend for impeachment to be used without strong bipartisan support. Look at what happened to Clinton. It was a very clear legal violation and bad example for the justice system

    It was a terrible precedent because it essentially meant that as long as 1/3rd + 1 of the Senate was OK with their guy committing any crime it was going to be OK.  GOP Senators supported Nixon until it was apparent that he really had destroyed evidence and obstructed their investigations.

    • #120
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