7 Republican senators vote to condemn Trump on a provocation charge

Former President Trump was acquitted Saturday in the Senate on an impeachment charge of inciting Jan. Capitol Riots – although seven Republican grandfathers voted with Democrats to condemn them.

Among those Republicans was Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

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Republicans issued statements explaining their votes.

“Our Constitution and our country are more important than one person. I voted to condemn President Trump because he is guilty,” Cassidy said.

“After careful consideration of the arguments of the individual councils, I have waited for President Trump to be guilty of the allegation made by the House of Representatives,” said Romney, who also voted to convict Trump of -half a year ago during the impeachment of Ukraine.

Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah were among the 7 Republican senators who voted to condemn Trump.

Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah were among the 7 Republican senators who voted to condemn Trump.

“I will not take this decision lightly, but I believe it is necessary,” said Burr. “With what he did and what he did not do, the Head broke President Trump is sworn in to uphold, defend and defend the Constitution of the United States. “

“On the eve of the 2014 election, I promised Nebraskans that I would always vote my conscience even if it was against the partisan flow,” Sasse said, adding, “I can’t go back on my word, and Congress cannot lower our standards on that grave. differently, simply because it is politically convenient. I have to vote to condemn him. “

Later Saturday, the Louisiana Republican Party Executive Committee voted unanimously to fine Sen. Cassiday for his vote to condemn Trump on the impeachment charge.

“We are critical, in the strongest possible terms, of today ‘s vote by Sen. Cassidy to oust former President Trump,” the group said in a statement. Fortunately, clearer heads prevailed and President Trump was freed from the impeachment charge leveled against him. ”

A majority of Trump senators were found guilty Saturday in a 57-43 vote, but the scarce number of superpowers needed to convict the president fell short. If Trump had been convicted, the Senate would have moved to prevent the 45th president from holding federal office again.

Voting to condemn Trump could cause political problems for Republicans. Representative of Wyoming. Liz Cheney, for example, has gone against backlash and wants to resign from her leadership role in the House over her vote to impeach Trump in the House last month. went.

Prior to the vote, there was speculation that Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell could join those who voted to oust the former president. But McConnell voted for liberation.

McConnell’s vote has been closely watched since he has been widely criticized for Trump’s role in promoting Jan. 6 riots, and his wife – former Transport Secretary Elaine Chao – resigned from the administration after the attack left at least five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer.

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McConnell warned colleagues of his decision Saturday morning via email before the Senate called for what could be the last day of Trump’s trial for “provoking a revolution. “

The condemnation was always going to climb up a hill, as 17 GOP senators had to join all 50 Democrats to achieve the high-ranking end.

Fox News’ Sally Persons, Kelly Phares and Caroline McKee contributed to this report.

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