McConnell supports impeachment to exorcise Trump’s specter from GOP
Pollemix News – January 13, 2021
Republican senator Mitch McConnell has privately expressed support for the impending impeachment trial for Donald Trump on the grounds of “incitement of insurrection.” Although McConnell has been fiercely loyal to the President throughout his tenure, the events of last week have caused an abrupt volte-face for many in the GOP leadership.
The news comes in the wake of the third highest ranking Republican Liz Cheney, openly announcing that she would vote in favor of impeachment saying:
“On January 6, 2021 a violent mob attacked the United States Capitol to obstruct the process of our democracy and stop the counting of presidential electoral votes. This insurrection caused injury, death and destruction in the most sacred space in our Republic.” Cheney added, “The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President. The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not. There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.” Cheney concluded by confirming “I will vote to impeach the President.”
In order for impeachment to be successful it would require the vote of two-thirds of the Senate, which despite Trump bleeding support within the GOP ranks is highly unlikely. Furthermore with only a week remaining before he is ousted from the White House impeachment proceedings will occur after Trump has already left office, rendering the verdict moot. Moreover the move could be viewed unfavorably by the public who may see it as a distraction from more pressing issues such as the Coronavirus pandemic and the flailing economy.
Nevertheless, the Democrats second attempt to impeach Trump has seemingly greater support from across the aisle then their first effort and with two of the top three power brokers within the party in McConnell and Cheney seemingly on board it appears that the impeachment process will move forward. Although it will likely end in futility McConnell’s hope is that by enduring a second impeachment trial that will pin the failed insurrection on Trump they will be able to paint him with a ‘Scarlet Letter’, reducing his influence on the GOP moving forward and ultimately preventing him from running again in 2024.
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