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A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 4 February 2020

Analysis: GOP sends message that Trump's actions were OK

By JULIE PACE ter Mueller testified before testimony of career public
AP Washington Bureau Congress. servants who raised grave
Chief At times during the im- concerns about Trump's
WASHINGTON (AP) — Re- peachment case, Trump's actions in real time. Then,
publicans have decided it lawyers echoed those last week's revelation that
was OK. same arguments, most no- former national security
With their expected vote tably when retired Harvard John Bolton will reveal in an
this coming week to ac- law professor Alan Der- upcoming book that the
quit President Donald showitz said that if a presi- president told him directly
Trump of abusing power dent believes his personal that crucial military aid to
and obstructing Congress, interests are in the national Ukraine was being held up
GOP senators are giving interests, then his actions until Ukraine agreed to the
their express approval to are not impeachable. investigations into Demo-
the conduct that landed Though Dershowitz later crats.
Trump at the center of the President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania tried to back away from But those moments of GOP
fourth impeachment case Trump, gives thumbs up as he walks on the South Lawn as they the most expansive inter- anxiety proved to be fleet-
in American history. It's the depart the White House, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, in Washington. pretations of his remarks, ing. Time after time, Re-
same message that House Associated Press the crux of his argument publicans found reasons to
Republicans sent late last remained: Trump wasn't stand by the president.
year with their unanimous alty to Trump. When he was so far as to suggest Trump's out of bounds in seeking a Their reasons were many.
votes against sending the a candidate in the 2016 pri- actions may have indeed foreign government's assis- The aid to Ukraine was ul-
case to trial. mary, nearly all of them op- been impeachable, but tance for personal political timately released. There
It's a fitting conclusion for posed him, often in terms Rubio argued that remov- gain, nor would he or a fu- were real questions about
a president who has spent as harsh as Democrats now ing Trump from office was ture president be if it hap- a potential conflict of in-
three years testing the use. Today, he inspires a not the right remedy. pened again. terest with Biden given his
boundaries of his office and loyalty borne of fear and "Just because actions meet Democrats entered the im- son's work with a Ukrainian
daring his own party to re- retribution but also of the a standard of impeach- peachment process opti- energy company. And in
strain him as his power and belief that Republicans' ment does not mean it is mistic that this might be a the ultimate chicken-or-
popularity within the GOP own political fortunes are in the best interest of the moment that would weak- egg argument, GOP sena-
grew. It was already clear directly tied to his. country to remove a presi- en Trump's hold on his par- tors said they couldn't sup-
heading into the impeach- Though that brings with it dent from office," Rubio ty. They believed this inves- port conviction — or even
ment inquiry just how reluc- risk in the November elec- said. tigation was different from a hearing for new witnesses
tant Republicans were to tion, most vulnerable Re- But behind the flickers of those that preceded it, in- — because the process
challenge Trump's impuls- publicans cannot succeed disapproval and the so- cluding Mueller's, because had not been bipartisan.
es. Coming out of the trial without him. ber, carefully parsed state- it was rooted in Trump's "It seems like the die has
it's uncertain whether there On the brink of the acquit- ments, the all but certain own words to Ukraine's been cast here," Biden said
is anything he can do in of- tal vote, some Republican acquittal vote Wednesday president and confirmed Friday after a campaign
fice that would draw more senators insist that doesn't means Republicans are in a rough transcript made event in Iowa. The only
than a passing, rhetorical mean they are simply giv- also accepting Trump's be- public by the president, remedy that remains, he
rebuke from his party. ing Trump a pass. They ar- havior and establishing a who insisted the phone call said, comes in November.
To Democrats, who initiated gue there is more to con- precedent for the ways in was "perfect." "I just have to beat him in
the impeachment process sider in this moment than which an American presi- As the impeachment case the general election," he
in hopes of pulling at least a yes or no question on dent can wield the power began, some Republi- said of Trump.
a handful of moderate or whether Trump violated of the office for personal can lawmakers expressed Trump will now campaign
retiring GOP lawmakers to his oath of office by push- political gain. public concern over the with the stain of impeach-
their side, Republicans are ing Ukraine to investigate Trump has long made clear president's dealings with ment on his record, but it's
sending the message that, his Democratic opponents that he sees few limits to his Ukraine; even more did so unclear whether the case
when it comes to Trump, and blocking Congress' power. He saw vindication, privately. that has tied up Washing-
nothing matters. His grip on ability to investigate the not flashing warning lights, There were also moments ton for four months will still
the party is complete. matter. after special counsel Rob- that tested Republicans' be fresh in voters' minds in
"No," Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, GOP Sen. Lamar Alexan- ert Mueller's investigation loyalty to Trump. November.
one of the House Demo- der of Tennessee, who is into his possible obstruc- The release of text mes- One thing that is certain is
cratic impeachment man- not seeking reelection, tion of justice ended with- sages from administration that Trump's acquittal will
agers, said in a retort to called Trump's overtures out any consequences. officials as they struggled be followed by new rev-
Republicans. "Lawlessness to Ukraine "inappropriate" Shortly after that inquiry with Trump's decision to in- elations related to the im-
matters, abuse of power and thoroughly proved by ended, Trump stated that volve his personal lawyer, peachment case. Among
matters, corruption mat- House Democrats, but that the Constitution gives him Rudy Giuliani, in efforts to them: legal cases pending
ters. The Constitution mat- Trump's actions did not rise "the right to do whatever I investigate former Vice that relate to Giuliani's work
ters." to the level of high crimes want as president." Indeed, President Joe Biden and in Ukraine and documents
The reasons are clear for and misdemeanors. Sen. his phone call with Ukraine's the Democratic National that have yet to be made
Republican lawmakers' fe- Marco Rubio, R-Fla., went leader came just a day af- Committee. The televised public.q