Senate Republicans uniting behind impeachment defense

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: Politico

Senate Republicans are coalescing around a long-shot bid to dismiss the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump before it even begins, relying on a disputed legal argument that says putting an ex-president on trial is unconstitutional.

Interviews with more than a dozen GOP senators revealed broad support for the claim that the Senate has no constitutional authority to put a private citizen on trial, which could translate into a substantial number of votes to scrap the trial altogether. The issue came up several times during a Senate GOP conference call Thursday afternoon, according to multiple senators.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said in an interview that concerns about the constitutionality of putting a former officeholder on trial were top of mind among GOP senators — even those who are open to voting to convict Trump on the House’s charge that he incited the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 that left five people dead.

“Our members, irrespective of what they might think about the merits, just believe that this is an exercise that really isn’t grounded constitutionally and, from a practical standpoint, just makes no sense,” Thune said.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/senate-republicans-uniting-behind-impeachment-defense/ar-BB1cYERw?li=BBnb7Kz

[mucifer]

1. This time there will be a trial with witnesses and evidence. This time they can't stop that.

[onecaliberal]

2. Exactly. They're not going to be allowed to sweep it under the rug. Very damaging video exists.

[Arne]

3. Makes perfect sense, unless your in opposite land.

[NYC Liberal]

4. The senate has already tried a former official.

Not being able to try someone no longer in office would allow a person facing certain conviction to resign and escape being disqualified.

If the only punishment was removal, a trial would be almost pointless. But it’s not.

[FBaggins]

35. Yes and no

Not being able to try someone no longer in office would allow a person facing certain conviction to resign and escape being disqualified.

Which is exactly what happened in the Belknap case (and arguably in the Nixon case).

They tried someone who had resigned after confessing to what he was accused of. Two dozen senators who said that he was guilty voted to acquit because they said that the Senate doesn't have jurisdiction to try this type of case.

That makes a still-open question. There's no precedential value in the vote of a prior Senate.

[Laelth]

5. This is truly astounding.

Here, these Republicans have a FREE CHANCE to stand up for the republic, to admonish blatant sedition, to condemn calls for rebellion, to condemn mob violence—i.e. to DO THE RIGHT THING, yet “party” still means more to them than the American republic and the Constitution of the United States.

It’s mind-boggling.



-Laelth

[canuckledragger]

10. It's not really surprising

When you understand that they don't and never have given a shit for the country, only their personal wealth and power.

It's the same with the cons in Canada as well.

[Miguelito Loveless]

17. Also not surprising

when some of them know that evidence is going to come out that links some, if not many of them, to the insurrection.

[Orrex]

11. They're terrrified of his cult of ignorant fuckheads

And, if they vote to impeach, whether or not it's successful, they're terrified that Trump will make good on his threat to start a third party, thereby fatally splitting the Republicans.

[machoneman]

33. Yes, and we Democrats will blanket the media showing who voted not to impeach him!

[mpcamb]

34. "They're terrified of his cult" and of getting named

as conspirators, for having lead Capitol tours and for having taken Rooskie money.
They've got plenty of reasons to hush things up.

[riversedge]

20. That is the point--Republicans do not to do that. They would have to admit they were wrong. Getting

rid of the trial gets them off the hook. They can just forget it--and the RW media will help them. damn.

[RockRaven]

6. Make. Them. Suffer....

If they want to acquit, then make them pay for it through the nose. Extract every last drop. They can acquit, sure -- but if that is the preordained outcome, then they must be made to pay a heavy price.

Use the trial as a venue to expose the maximal amount of criminality and culpability by not only Trump but the Congressional Repukes who supported the insurrection, and all of the rest them for enabling the criminals.

[bamagal62]

7. So, this bull and we're supposed

To reach across that aisle. F(&k everyone of them. I want a trial. I want accountability and justice.

[Iliyah]

8. maybe not . . .

although the over 200 rw judges and rw USA supreme court that the republican have installed will not go against the USA Constitution.

[msongs]

9. is this where trump's SCOTUS earns its keep? nt

[rickyhall]

12. If they don't believe in democracy how can they call themselves American?

[C Moon]

26. They don't and they're not

[dem4decades]

13. So trying an ex president is unconstitutional but not accepting the people's votes isn't?

Fuck those assholes, we're all not stupid Republicans.

[kimbutgar]

14. No shit sherlock

Did you expect any less from them?

[Danascot]

15. Prof Tribe says he can be tried. That's good enough for me.

Link to tweet

[jtb653]

21. Barely even focus on his pix when I see them.

really just can't stand the sight of him.

[murielm99]

31. I have been looking away for a long time.

[onetexan]

30. wow including the Federalist society. I have no respect for this body but i'm glad they agree the

Con must be convicted. We cannot have a democracy with attempted coups, antidemocratic shenanigans and authoritarian rule.
If nothing is done you can be damn sure it will happen again.

Senate Dems need to push back & not allow Moscow Mitch to attempt power grabs as he's doing now. He's playing the both sides situation, warming up to Dems with his lies and pretenses about unity while trying to pull the rug under Dems.

[mysteryowl]

16. So, they just want to cement themselves to a madman.

Clearly they are too.

[IsItJustMe]

18. Listen to those cult Senators cry like little babies.

But, but,, but what about unifying the country. As Joe Biden would say, "Give me a break, man."

[Bayard]

19. I think McConnell is going to get behind impeachment

He doesn't want trump dragging down his party anymore, and definitely doesn't want him running again. He'll bring most of the rethugs with him.

[C Moon]

27. He'll stand behind Trump until it starts looking like a loss, then he'll change his tune.

They are a disgusting bucket of dirty rags.

[BlueIdaho]

22. It's not a reason - it's an excuse.

That’s all we ever get from republicans. Just one excuse after another.

[C Moon]

23. So they've already forgotten that our fucking Capitol was attacked by asshats and 5 died...

which was fueled by Trump?!
Well, we CAN'T let them forget.

And I hope that jackasses who gave them a tour of the Capitol, go to trial soon. Republicans need to be taught a lesson in law.

[Gore1FL]

24. Let then unite to defend the indefensible!

More voters for us.

[miyazaki]

25. Fuckin' ballbags. It's unconstitutional not to try him.

[myohmy2]

28. well...

...so much for unity...

...the pukes have a golden opportunity to rid their Party of the stench of trump and they refuse...

...I'm sure we'll produce trump's fingerprints all over the insurrection...they could easily hide behind an upholding 'law and order' vote for their 'primary' defense...

...these are nasty people who like trump, love trump, want to be trump, can't get enough trump...

...kumbaya...

[Kablooie]

32. They really want 4 more years to destroy US democracy.

They hate our form of government so much.