New -- A look at Senate GOP divide over convicting Trump, with some arguing it's unconstitutional, others aligning with WH and some open to conviction. GOP sees internal polls showing Trump's GOP support eroding. McConnell indicates he is truly undecided cnn.it/2MXxDog
Dems, with Raskin in lead, prepare to make argument that trying a former president is constitutional and there's precedent for Senate trying former officials.
Whether they bring in witnesses, like Raffensperger, remains to be seen. His spox won't say if he's willing to testify
"There is no love lost within the Senate Republican Conference for Trump," said one Republican. "Everybody is ready for this end. But there is a really open question about how many people will vote to convict him after his term will have expired.” w/ @jeremyherb
Had an exchange with Mo Brooks just now where I asked him if he regrets speaking at the rally that led to the mob attack at the Capitol. “I did my duty for my country,” he told me.
Asked about his “kicking ass” comment, Brooks pushed back.
“Did you see this sentence right before? You guys have done a great disservice to our country by distorting the truth,” Brooks said
This is his sentence before from last week: “But let’s be clear, regardless of today’s outcome, the 2022 and 2024 elections are right around the corner, and America does not need and cannot stand, cannot tolerate any more weakling, cowering, wimpy Republican Congressman...
Schumer say it’s time to invoke the 25th Amendment
Schumer: “What happened at the U.S. Capitol yesterday was an insurrection against the United States, incited by the president. This president should not hold office one day longer.”
“The quickest and most effective way - it can be done today - to remove this president from office would be for the Vice President to immediately invoke the 25th amendment. If the Vice President and the Cabinet refuse to stand up, Congress should reconvene to impeach” him
Capitol Police instructs people to evacuate House Cannon building. No reason was given
Here’s the request
Capitol police to staff: “If you are in the Cannon Building, take visitors, escape hoods, and Go Kits and report to the South tunnel connecting to the Longworth.”
More GOP senators come out against overturning election. Inhofe: “To challenge a state’s certification, given how specific the Constitution is, would be a violation of my oath of office—that is not something I am willing to do and is not something Oklahomans would want me to do”
Tim Scott: “As I read the Constitution, there is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors.”
Jerry Moran: “The states, consistent with the principles of federalism ... possess the sole authority to determine and submit their electors. To vote to reject these state-certified electoral votes would be to act outside the bounds of the Constitution, which I will not do.”
There are some House members in Capitol who would be in quarantine after being exposed to covid. These members have tested negative, according to Capitol official. Capitol Hill doctor Brian Monahan says they are participating today through a "secure enclosure"
Monahan says the members can participate in order "to ensure continuity of operations of essential functions" and "are permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19 provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented”
Full statement from Monahan. It’s unclear who the members are. One Capitol official says it’s 2 Dems and one Republican, but won’t disclose their identity