Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is cautioning his colleagues that voting to convict President Donald Trump on the charge of “incitement of insurrection” would be “disastrous” for the country and the Republican Party.
During an appearance on Fox News on Sunday, Graham said, “This is insane at every level. It will create further division in the country.”
He asked, “What good comes from impeaching Donald Trump after he leaves office?”
Graham noted that some lawmakers are hoping to impeach Trump, even after he leaves office, so that they can vote to ban him from holding office in the future. He added, “This has never been done in the history of our country. I think it’s blatantly unconstitutional.”
The South Carolina senator then turned his attention to his Republican colleagues, “If we embrace an unconstitutional impeachment of Donald Trump after he’s out of office, it will destroy the party. The Republican Party wants to move forward.”
“President Trump’s going to be the most important voice in the Republican Party for a long time to come. He’s gonna accept responsibility for his part on January the sixth. But impeaching him after he leaves office is not only unconstitutional. From a Republican point of view, it would destroy our party. I hope the Republican senators know that because it is a reality. And it will not help the country, the most important thing.”
Finally, he said, “Impeaching him after he leaves office will be disastrous for this country and our party.”
Watch the video below:
.@LindseyGrahamSC: "What good comes from impeaching Donald Trump after he leaves office? …
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 17, 2021
If we embrace an unconstitutional impeachment of Donald Trump after he’s out of office, it will destroy the [GOP]." pic.twitter.com/U9fMDowjnW
The House voted on Wednesday to advance an article of impeachment against Trump, with 10 Republicans voting in favor of the measure, as IJR reported. The Senate will now hold a trial to decide whether or not to convict Trump of the charge of “incitement of insurrection.”
In order to convict Trump, 17 Senate Republicans would have to vote “yes.” However, it is unclear how many senators would be willing to go against the Republican president — even after he leaves office.
In 2020, only Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) voted to convict Trump of an article of impeachment.
But after a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, forcing lawmakers to halt their proceedings to certify the presidential election and leaving five dead, Republicans appear to be more receptive to the idea of impeachment.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is reportedly “pleased” with the latest effort and told his colleagues he has not decided whether or not he will vote to convict Trump.
Additionally, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said the House acted “appropriately” by voting to impeach Trump, but she did not reveal if she had decided how she will vote.