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Added on the 05/02/2020 23:23:05 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
Senate Republican Mitch McConnell delivers a scathing criticism of Donald Trump despite voting to acquit the former president on an impeachment charge, saying he was "responsible" for the January 6 assault on the US Capitol. SOUNDBITE
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday placed the blame for the attack on the Capitol firmly at the feet of President Donald Trump. CNN reports the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor that Trump 'provoked' the violent insurrectionists on January 6th. The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the President and other powerful people. US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell McConnell's comments came as the Senate prepares to hold an impeachment trial over the House's charge of 'incitement of insurrection.' He said the despite the violence, Congress did its duty by certifying the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized the House impeachment efforts on Wednesday. Graham appeared to shade Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, says Business Insider. "It is a rushed process that, over time, will become a threat to future presidents," Graham said. He continued with, "As to Senate leadership, I fear they are making the problem worse, not better." Graham broke from Trump and firmly acknowledged that Biden won the 2020 race. However, on Tuesday, Graham accompanied Trump on Air Force One for a visit to Alamo, Texas.
"I believe impeaching the president in such a short time frame would be a mistake," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy warns in a floor speech an hour before a bipartisan majority is expected to impeach Donald Trump for an unprecedented second time. SOUNDBITE
The House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Having been previously impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to the Ukraine scandal, he's the first president to be impeached twice. Trump was impeached for 'incitement of insurrection' over his role in triggering the violent siege of the US Capitol on January 6. Five people died in the riot. According to Business Insider, ten Republican lawmakers broke ranks to vote with their Democratic colleagues to impeach the president. The final vote was 232 in favor of impeachment and 197 against.