Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office confirmed that he will not “consent” to reconvening the Senate before Jan. 19, effectively killing hopes for removing President Donald Trump from office before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
A McConnell spokesman confirmed that their office told Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s staff that McConnell won’t “consent” to reconvening the Senate before Jan. 19 after a report broke Tuesday night that McConnell is reportedly considering voting to convict Trump in an impeachment trial.
Schumer was reportedly trying to use the authority granted to the two Senate leaders in 2004 to reconvene the Senate in times of emergency to impeach Trump.
Can confirm —> https://t.co/l2U1WlyQSF
— Doug Andres (@DougAndres) January 13, 2021
According to Axios founder and former Politico Playbook editor Mike Allen, there is a “50-50 chance” McConnell will vote to impeach Trump. McConnell is reportedly considering his own legacy and wants to defend the Senate and the institution. If McConnell voted to impeach, it is likely other Senate Republicans would jump on board, making it possible for the Senate to impeach Trump.
“The Senate institutional loyalists are fomenting a counterrevolution” to Trump, a top Republican close to McConnell reportedly told Axios.
The New York Times released a report Tuesday, citing anonymous sources, saying that McConnell is pleased Democrats will try to impeach Trump, as it will help separate the Republican Party from Trump. Rioters supporting Trump stormed the U.S. capitol Wednesday, committing acts of vandalism and violence and postponing the electoral college certification process, forcing members of Congress to evacuate the building. (RELATED: REPORT: McConnell Believes Trump Committed Impeachable Offenses)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) puts on his face mask after speaking to members of the media following the weekly Senate Republican Policy Luncheon at Hart Senate Office Building June 23, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Democrats in the House of Representatives introduced at least one article of impeachment Monday morning against Trump after the pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. (RELATED: House Democrats Set To Introduce Articles Of Impeachment)
The House impeachment resolution charges Trump with one article of “incitement of insurrection” and the effort is being led by Democratic Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Ted Lieu of California.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer introduced the resolution, which calls on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, NBC News reported. (RELATED: Maskless Pramila Jayapal Complains She Got COVID-19 From Republicans Who ‘Cruelly Refused’ To Wear Masks)
The House is set to vote on impeachment Wednesday.
Republican Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger announced Tuesday that he will vote to impeach Trump, joining Republican Republican Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and Republican New York Rep. John Katko.