Summary

Seven Republican senators, including Mitt Romney, faced backlash and praise for their vote to convict Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, marking a significant moment of division within the GOP over Trump's culpability in the Capitol riots.

Abstract

The article discusses the fallout from the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, focusing on the seven Republican senators who voted to convict him for inciting the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots. Despite Trump being out of office, the trial highlighted his influence over the Republican Party and the nation's politics. Senator Mitt Romney, who previously voted to impeach Trump, was joined by six other Republican senators. Their decision was met with criticism from many Republican voters and some party members, who accused them of betraying their constituents and the party. Conversely, others commended the senators for their courage and integrity, viewing their conviction vote as an essential act for the future of American democracy. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's comments reflected the complexity of the situation, as he acknowledged Trump's responsibility for the riots but voted to acquit based on a technicality.

Opinions

The article presents the view that the seven Republican senators were brave for voting against party lines to convict Trump.
It is suggested that Trump was directly responsible for the Capitol riots, as confirmed by various sources despite his lawyers' arguments.
Senator Chuck Schumer criticized the senators who voted to acquit, predicting that history would remember them as cowards.
Mitch McConnell's stance is scrutinized for inconsistency, as he condemned Trump's actions but ultimately voted to acquit, citing Trump's post-presidency status.
Anthony Scaramucci and others on CNN strongly advocated for Trump's guilt, anticipating historical disgrace for those who voted for acquittal.
Mitt Romney faced harassment and was labeled a traitor by some Utah Republicans for his conviction vote.
Public opinion was divided, with some Facebook comments denouncing Romney and the other six senators, calling for their resignation or recall, while others praised them as patriots and the only morally upright members of the GOP.
The article implies that Trump maintains a significant level of control over many Republican members of Congress and their voters.
It is noted that the divisive political climate and hatred incited by Trump over the years continue to be major issues in the United States.

Ordinary People Spoke Out About The Seven Republican Senators

They were brave enough to vote to convict Trump

The impeachment trial ended with an acquittal

Six other Republican senators were willing to join with Senator Mitt Romney to vote to convict Donald Trump in his impeachment trial. Romney was the only Republican senator who voted to impeach at the senate trial held for Donald Trump after the House of Representatives impeached him the first time. These seven were the brave ones who were willing to vote to convict Trump for inciting the Capitol riots.

No one could dispute that the insurrection at the Capitol was encouraged and incited by Trump. His lawyers tried to say that he did not know that Vice President Pence was in danger. Others confirmed Trump’s involvement.

After the verdict was in that 57 senators had voted to convict and 43 had voted to acquit, Senator Chuck Schumer spoke on the Senate floor. He stated that the House Managers had presented effective evidence that they should all have voted to convict. He stated that the 43 senators who voted to acquit would go down in history for their cowardice in continuing to support a disgraced President.

Senator Mitch McConnell accused Trump of being practically and morally responsible for the insurrection of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He spoke of the many reasons Trump was guilty, and he stated that Trump could still be tried as a private citizen for the crimes he committed. McConnell made an excuse for his vote. He said that Trump was out of office and should not be convicted. He stated all the reasons that Trump was guilty, but McConnell still voted to acquit. He was the one who was actually at fault for delaying the trial until Trump was out of office. He did not take responsibility for that.

McConnell was trying to have it both ways and to not accept any blame in the matter.

Anthony Scaramucci and others were on CNN in the days before the impeachment trial ended. They adamantly insisted that Trump absolutely should be found guilty. Scaramucci said anyone who voted to acquit would go down in history as disgraced as Trump. He wondered what Trump had over these senators that they were so afraid of him and would vote to acquit. Scaramucci is not afraid to speak out against Trump.

Senator Mitt Romney was traveling back to Washington, D.C. from Utah for the vote on January 6 to certify the electoral college vote to declare that Joe Biden had won the election. He was harassed at the Salt Lake City airport and on the airplane as he traveled. He was called a traitor. Utah Republicans have not been kind to Romney through the impeachment process.

Some of the comments from Utah Republican voters are interesting about Romney and the six others who voted to convict. These are a few of the hundreds of comments on one Facebook post. Most were against Romney and the others for their vote to convict Trump.

Some Facebook comments against Senator Romney and the other six senators:

A senator is supposed to represent the people who elected him. The majority of Utah despises how Romney voted. If he does not want to represent his constituency, he should resign.

He needs to be recalled. He does not represent Utah.

Trump is a one man force against all those corrupt politicians and media who exposed the swamp.

Romney broke rank because of bitterness and self pity over losing the Presidency and having Trump expose his weaknesses.

Romney needs to officially change parties.

They might as well start trying to appease Democrats because they will never get a Republican vote again.

Another victory for Trump even without them.

The libs and rinos are crying because they didn’t get their way. Trump is still winning!

So ashamed that Romney is our man from Utah.

Remember come the primaries. Vote them OUT!

They don’t belong in the Republican Party.

If you vote for any senator who voted to impeach Trump, you are not very bright.

Dumb. All seven of them.

Shame on Romney. Vote him out.

Not all Utah Republicans were for acquitting Trump. There were some Facebook comments (presumably from Republicans and Democrats) in favor of the vote of Senator Romney and the other six GOP senators:

The GOP sided with criminals and allowed them to take over our country.

Good job, Senator Romney. Thank goodness there are some showing leadership.

One person did a bad thing. 43 people would not admit it and therefore support it. By default, they encourage it to happen again

The seven who voted to convict are the only ones who had any morals.

Thank you to all who voted to convict! You are true patriots! You worked for the good of our democracy.

I am glad they did what they did. They stood up for what is right.

Because they voted the truth and made the right choice.

Romney shows there is a glimmer of hope for the Republican Party.

They are the only ones from the GOP who deserve any respect.

Romney was close to getting killed, and people here don’t care. That is scary.

We are proud of you, Mitt Romney. You are honorable.

The seven GOP senators who voted to convict are the only ones with a spine.

Thanks for being a stand up guy, Mitt.

Good for those seven brave senators who stood for the right principles.

Romney has shown that he has integrity and does not condone the immoral and illegal practices of Trump. Romney has received more than his share of criticism from voters in Utah who voted for Romney but who are still devoted Trump fans. Trump has a stronghold on Utah Republicans just as he continues his control over so many Republican members of Congress.

There is no doubt that there is a lot of hate in politics. There was a lot of hatred stoked by Trump and his followers over the years. It continues to be a big problem.

The riotous mobs at the U.S. Capitol were an indication that the United States has a big problem. This is just one of many problems within the nation which President Joe Biden faces.

[Source: CNN, Facebook]