Texas’ U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn have both condemned the new impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump, with both calling the proceedings “vindictive.” Cornyn, however, has said he will “reserve judgment” until the case is presented.
Despite pressure from Democrats in Congress, the two Texas Republicans have demonstrated no desire to impeach the former president. When pressed by reporters on Capitol Hill, Cruz referred to the proceedings as “vindictive and punitive,” stating that “congressional Democrats seem obsessed with their hatred for Donald Trump,” and “they need to put their partisan hatred aside.”
He also stated this demonstrated hypocrisy, considering President Joe Biden and other Democrats claim they desire “unity.” According to Cruz, the Senate has far more important matters to discuss, such as the pandemic and an economic crisis that resulted in millions left jobless.
Like Cruz, Cornyn has opposed the impeachment and called it “vindictive” in a recent interview with KHOU. Cornyn claimed the trial would set a precedent, allowing Republican politicians to impeach future Democrat presidents, and shared an anti-impeachment article written by Alan Dershowitz.
Breaking from Cruz, however, Cornyn echoed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s demand for a “vote of conscience.” Cornyn also said that he would “reserve judgment” until impeachment managers finish presenting their case.
In a later interview on Fox News, Cornyn called the proceedings “unprecedented,” as “there is no constitutional provision permitting the impeachment for the sole purpose of removing them from running for office in the future, somebody who is no longer president, who is a private citizen.”
The Senate trial is scheduled to begin on February 8.
