Today we saw dozens of videos/tweets of Trump saying the election was stolen and the electoral college count needs to be stopped, urging supporters to “fight like hell” and “stop the steal,” then people storming the Capitol repeating those lines. How are Republicans reacting?
Pretty much everyone has said the footage of the attack shown today is awful, reprehensible, traumatizing, etc. But many are saying that the responsibility is solely on the rioters, not Trump.
Sen. James Lankford on Trump’s culpability: “He's had 100 rallies and we have never seen that before. So that's the tough one to be able to link together.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham:” I think there's more votes for acquittal after today than there was yesterday. Because hypocrisy is pretty large for these people…
The legal theory they have is absurd. That somehow that Trump’s a secret member of the Proud boys.”
The legal theory they have is absurd. That somehow that Trump’s a secret member of the Proud boys.”
Sen. Mike Braun: “Well Obviously the people that broke into the Capitol should (be held accountable)."
Does Trump bear responsibility?
"You know, it unraveled and I think still, when it comes to the people that actually broke in here, it's their responsibility."
Does Trump bear responsibility?
"You know, it unraveled and I think still, when it comes to the people that actually broke in here, it's their responsibility."
Some are saying they don’t think they have the legal ability to impeach Trump, regardless of the merits of the case, because he’s a private citizen now. (The Senate voted yesterday that the trial is constitutional.)
Sen. Mike Rounds: “There is no doubt there was a mob, that the mob had insurrectionist plans in mind... But for many of us, and for me personally, it’s still a matter that we do not have a constitutional ability to impeach a person who is not a current officer.”
Sen. Marco Rubio: “That's an argument to be made to the Justice Department & the US Attorney's office… impeachment, in my view, is a tool to remove an officer...if they did something in their time or their service that is criminal, that’s a role for the criminal justice system."
Others are just saying outright Trump isn’t responsible and impeachment is a waste of time.
Sen. Rick Scott: "I watched what he said. He never said that somebody should break in. He actually said that people should do this peacefully. Look, this is a complete waste of time.”
Sen. Rick Scott: "I watched what he said. He never said that somebody should break in. He actually said that people should do this peacefully. Look, this is a complete waste of time.”
Sen. Ted Cruz: They spent a great deal of time focusing on the horrific acts of violence that were played out by the criminals, but the language from the president doesn't come close to meeting the legal standard for incitement."
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