Many Republicans mounted little defense of the president, in stark reversal from last year’s impeachment debate. Instead, much of the Republican criticism focused on process complaints and predictions that impeaching Trump would only inflame tensions.And while some Trump allies did defend the president directly, it was far from the centerpiece of the GOP argument.
And when he turned toward his opposition to impeachment, he articulated an argument that the country needs to unite, and that he doesn’t believe impeachment would serve that goal best. Other than Cole, just half a dozen Republicans stood to speak in that first round. Some offered other suggestions for things like a commission to investigate the attack, some lamented the violence, some decried the push to impeach as politically motivated, and others raised frustration with the speed of the most recent impeachment process.The arguments prompted House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., to push back by quoting Illinois Rep.
The tone changed, however, in the second round of debate, which began early Wednesday afternoon. This time, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, a close confidante of Trump’s, controlled the GOP’s speaking time. And defenses of the president became a bit sharper, even as most of the focus still remained on process complaints and concerns impeachment wouldn’t help the country unify.
And shortly after, California Republican Rep. Darrel Issa offered a light defense of the president, while trying to accuse Democrats of using the attack to achieve their long-term goal. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy typified the tightrope walk when he took to the floor early Wednesday afternoon, where he called a vote in favor of impeachment a"mistake," then went on to call for censuring him instead and said that the House should look for more facts."A vote to impeach would further divide this nation. A vote to impeach will further fan the flames of partisan division. Most Americans want neither inaction or retribution," McCarthy said.
Because more than half of their behinds have a hand in this act of violence against our nation.
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