Impeachment trial tests Trump’s control over the Senate Republican Party

President TrumpDonald TrumpCIA, CIA chief, threatened to resign due to pressure to install loyal Trump as a deputy: Azar report in farewell letter says Capitol riot threatens to “tarnish” administration achievements Justice Department argues that Trump should get immunity from prosecutor’s case of rapeThe relationship with Senate Republicans is facing its biggest test at its lowest point.

Many Republicans blame Trump for losing the majority in the Senate and are furious that he has put their lives in danger after an angry mob full of people who believed his election conspiracy theories invaded the Capitol last week.

Now, these Republicans have a chance to vote to condemn Trump in an impeachment trial – if they so decide. They could also vote to ban him permanently from public office.

“It was a very unhealthy marriage for a long time … and now you know that many Republicans are very happy with the divorce,” said Doug Heye, a veteran Republican strategist and a former adviser to Hill’s leadership. “There will still be political calculations that they will make … but this is no longer a fragmented relationship, it is a divorce.”

Trump’s impetuous style has repeatedly exasperated Senate Republicans, even when they were careful not to upset him due to his control over the base and worked with him to appoint conservative judges, cut taxes and reverse Obama-era regulations.

But those ties are breaking apart like never before, after a steady stream of post-November clashes.

It is a big change from last year’s impeachment trial, when Trump’s acquittal was secured by a sympathetic Republican Party in the Senate.

Now Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi talks about when House will send an impeachment article to the Senate Democratic senator: The relief from COVID-19 is a priority over the impeachment trial The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden asks Congress to expand the biggest relief response from history of the USA MORE (R-Ky.) He is privately telling confidants that he believes Trump has committed objectionable offenses and that a conviction could help the party turn the page on Trump.

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

“The attack on the United States Capitol was an attack on democracy itself, and the president has some responsibility for what happened. … If the Senate proceeds with an impeachment trial, I will do my duty as a juror and hear the cases presented by both sides, “said the Sen. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanGOP in trouble over Trump as corporate donors freeze Trump calls for ‘NO violence’ amid threats surrounding the inauguration Security concerns rise before Biden takes office MORE (R-Ohio).

Some Republicans argue that it is past time for his party to move on after four years in which it was widely defined by Trump, who had no qualms about throwing loyal allies under the bus.

“I think that our identity in recent years has been built around an individual. We need to go back to the point where it was built around a set of ideas, principles and policies ”, senator. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneFor the regulation of the platform, Congress must use a European reference sheet. Streamlining the prior authorization process for medical and surgical procedures McConnell is about to teach Trump about political power for the last time MORE (RS.D.) told reporters after Wednesday’s attack.

Thune, who Trump recently threatened to lose in a Republican primary, did not criticize the president by name, but cited the chaos created by vetoing the defense bill, threatening a stoppage at the end of the year and fighting the party’s ability to recognize that the president- elect Joe BidenJoe BidenAzar in a farewell letter says riot on Capitol Hill threatens to tarnish administration achievements House Democrats introduce measures to oppose Trump’s sale of bombs to Saudis On The Money: Retail sales fall at the last sign of weakening the economy | Fast-food workers strike for minimum wage | US officials raise concerns about Mexico’s handling of energy licenses MORE won as reasons why they lost Georgia.

Sen. Chuck GrassleyChuck GrassleyMcConnell about to go to Trump’s school on political power for the last time Night medical assistance: Biden reveals COVID-19 aid plan | Post-holiday increase sets new deadline records | Senate report, ‘broken’ system of failures for insulin price increases Fault report ‘broken’ system for insulin price spikes MORE (R-Iowa), who as Thune runs 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 openly against Trump, let alone voting to condemn him and potentially preventing him from holding a future position, could cost Republicans their seats in the Senate if it motivates Trump-friendly primary challenges.

Republicans are defending 20 seats in 2022, which means that many Republicans will be keeping an eye on mid-term evidence as they consider the sentence.

“Any move they make, especially on something so significant, can bring a real primary challenge,” said Heye.

An Axios-Ipsos poll highlights the schism that awaits Republicans: Asked to choose the best identifier, 56% of Republicans called themselves “traditional Republicans”, while 36% considered themselves supporters of Trump.

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

For the time being, most Republicans are silent as they try to navigate a politically fluid situation and a constant stream of new developments.

There is also the historical reality: Republican Party lawmakers are well aware that the resignation of the United States Capitol and Trump’s response will overshadow any other aspect of his legacy. And as more information about the attack is released, they recognize that it could get worse.

“I really fear that more facts will come up in the future that will put me on the wrong side in this debate,” said the representative. Michael McCaulMichael Thomas McCaulLawmakers rejects Trump’s designation of terrorism for Yemeni Houthis. Foreign opponents pricking the US after protests at the Capitol. Assault “harmed” US position in the world, lawmakers say MORE (R-Texas) who, like most House Republicans, voted against impeachment.

Sen. Kevin cramerKevin John CramerMcConnell about to teach Trump about political power for the last time Regulator finalizes rule that forces banks to serve oil, arms companies Republican senators now regret not doing more to contain Trump MORE (RN.D.), during an interview with CNBC, said that “it seems unlikely” there would be 67 votes in the Senate to condemn Trump. If each Democrat votes to be sentenced, they will need 17 Republican senators.

Sen. Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonMcConnell about to study Trump on political power for the last time The Hill’s 12:30 report: Trump’s growing isolation as the administration comes to an end Cotton: Senate lacks authority to hold impeachment trial as soon as Trump leaves office charge MORE (R-Ark.), A 2024 candidate who opposed the annulment of election results, was one of the first Republican senators to make it clear that he would not vote to condemn, although he did nothing to defend Trump.

Cotton said he does not believe the Senate has the authority, under the constitution, to carry out an impeachment trial after a president has left office.

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden asks Congress to expand the biggest relief response in US history McConnell is about to teach Trump about political power for the last time Other airlines ban weapons on flights to Washington before the inauguration MORE (RS.C.) is calling his colleagues in particular to urge them to oppose Trump’s condemnation and said in a public statement that supporting the effort would “do great harm … to the party”.

But it seems certain that Democrats will get more support from the Republican Party than in 2020, when Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt Romney’Almost Heaven, West Virginia ‘- Joe Manchin and a 50-50 Senate The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden asks Congress to expand the greatest relief response in US history McConnell is about to teach Trump about power political for the last time MORE (Utah) was the only Republican to support one of the impeachment articles.

Sen. Ben SasseBen SasseSasse: Capitol rioters ‘came dangerously close to starting a bloody constitutional crisis’ McConnell about to teach Trump about political power for the last time McConnell: Trump’s impeachment trial will start after Biden swore MORE (R-Neb.) He said he is open to considering any articles approved by the Chamber. Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret Collins ‘The Closest Heaven, West Virginia’ – Joe Manchin and a 50-50 Senate McConnell about to teach Trump about political power for the last time McConnell says he’s undecided on whether to vote to condemn Trump MORE (R-Maine) will remain silent at the trial, but said in an opinion piece that Trump “incited” protesters.

Sens. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyThe government used the Patriot Act to collect records of website visitors in 2019 The appeals court ruled that the mass collection of telephone data from the NSA is illegal. Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair the coronavirus supervisory panel MORE (R-Pa.) E Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann Murkowski’Almost Heaven, West Virginia ‘- Joe Manchin and a 50-50 Senate The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden asks Congress to expand the biggest bailout response in US history Murkowski says it would be’ appropriate ‘to prevent Trump from taking over the post again MORE (R-Alaska) appealed to Trump to resign.

Murkowski went a step further, saying in a statement that she believes the House acted “appropriately” to Trump’s impeachment, while refusing to say how she would end up voting for 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 – desecrating the Capitol and briefly interfering with the government’s ability to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.” , Murkowski said. “These illegal actions cannot be without consequences.”