“It seems to me that there is some value in looking at an alternative to proceeding with the trial. . I realize the two leaders have already locked in a schedule. But it seems to me there is benefit in looking at an alternative that might be able to garner bipartisan support. I don t know whether it would or not,” said Collins, who is working with Sen. Tim Kaine
A censure resolution, unlike impeachment, would require only 60 votes to pass the Senate, and it would amount to a historic rebuke of Trump. The Senate has censured only one president previously Andrew Jackson a decision it reversed three years later.
During an appearance on Fox & Friends in response to a direct question from Brian Kilmeade on whether in retrospect it was a good idea to hold the rally, Meadows deflected, saying it was better to focus on the future.
“When we start looking at the rally, we re focused more on that than we are really about what we need to be focused on today,” Meadows said. “When we start to look at America, it needs to be about what is important to people on Main Street and that s what the president did. He put America first . hopefully we ll get beyond this.
“I’ve felt very isolated in my party,” Kinzinger told the newspaper. “Very isolated and very lonely.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“I think we’re going to have an epic battle in the next six months for the definition of this party,” he added, referring to the battle between Republicans who have been divided over support of the former president amid his false claims that the election was stolen from him by President Biden and the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Kinzinger made headlines earlier this month when he joined with Democrats to call for Pence to remove Trump via the 25th Amendment, a process that would involve members of the president s Cabinet declaring him unfit for office. The centrist Republican later said he was in total peace with his decision to vote for both that resolution and the Democrats article of impeachment.
His brief speech, delivered to about 30 agency staff, was a veiled acknowledgement of turning the page on the combative tenure of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
“I know the State Department that I’m walking into is not the same one I left four years ago,” Blinken said while paying tribute to the 47 State Department staff who have died from COVID-19 and acknowledging barriers and fencing that went up following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
ADVERTISEMENT
As part of President Biden’s push to promote unity after the stark divisions of the Trump era, Blinken implored State Department staff and told them they have a role to play amid his push to rebuild morale and trust.
“I would simply say to all of my colleagues make no mistake, there will be a trial, and the evidence against the former president will be presented in living color for the nation and every one of us to see once again,” Schumer said from the Senate floor.
“No one will be able to avert their gaze from what Mr. Trump said and did and the consequences of his actions. . We will all watch what happened. We will listen to what happened and then we will vote,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Schumer’s comments come after 45 Republicans backed an effort to deem Trump’s trial unconstitutional because he’s already left office.