Why Republican senators are afraid of voting for Trump’s conviction

Republican senators are afraid of voting for Donald Trump’s conviction at the Senate impeachment trial for fear they risk losing their lives at the hands of the former US president’s extremist followers or more realistic fear of being primaried, according to Myles Hoenig, an American political analyst and activist. 

Hoenig, a former Green Party candidate for Congress, made the remarks in an interview with Press TV on Saturday while commenting on a statement by Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Senator Warren on Friday ripped Trump for his “violent attack” on “democracy,” saying, “We must… convict Trump, and bar him from ever holding office again.”

Trump is being impeached for a second time, this time for incitement of insurrection, in the wake of his supporters’ attempt to overturn the election results in his favor by storming the Congress, where the lawmakers were holding a session to certify the victory of President Joe Biden.

Most Republican senators have dismissed Trump’s second impeachment trial, making it highly unlikely for the upper chamber of Congress to vote to convict. A majority of Republican lawmakers have also backed Trump’s position on election fraud.

A two-thirds majority vote would be required for Trump’s conviction which would require at least 17 Republican votes if every Democrat votes to convict him.

Last month, five Republicans by voting against tabling a motion calling the trial unconstitutional made it certain the Senate will not win the two-thirds vote necessary for conviction.

Senator Warren: ‘We must convict Trump, bar him from ever holding office again’

Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has ripped former US President Donald Trump for his “violent attack” on “democracy.”

“It makes no difference if Sen. Warren calls for his conviction. As a Democrat, she and they are locked together in supporting such a move. The news would be if a senior Republican senator were to call for his conviction after previously supporting Trump,” Hoenig said.

“Although there are 34 Republican senators who are not up for re-election in 2022, and presumably safe seats for either ‘24 or ‘26, the fear of Trump’s supporters isn’t just political, but life threatening. MAGA-heads, Proud Boys and especially the Oath Keepers have proven to be extremist, violent subsections of the Republican Party. Even a safe Republican would not want to be on their wrong side. This simply shows the cowardice of these senators as well as their subservience to their former president who could likely bring their Party to ruin,” he stated.

“A new ’tea party’ is forming of center-right, conservatives to be the voice of the traditional Republican Party. Some have already called for Trump’s conviction as all are doing this out of fear of where their party is going. This is where calls for conviction is needed, not by people like Warren,” he added.

“The latest bombshell, or smoking gun, is the release of information regarding the call between House Minority Leader McCarthy and Trump where Trump refused to intervene while learning of the extent of the break in and also hearing of VP Pence’s life was in danger. The question is, is it too late for conviction upon hearing this? By now all know about this but fear of Trump’s power will likely override any respect for the Constitution,” he concluded.

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