Even the Top Republican Points Out "Trump Incited Capitol Riot"... Is Senate Impeachment Becoming a Reality?

Republicans Already 12 Turn Against Trump... Impeachment Likelihood Increases
Trump Focuses on Self-Exile Ceremony... Airshow Request Rejected

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the U.S. Senate, has directly pointed to President Donald Trump as the mastermind behind the Capitol riot, raising prospects that impeachment will become a reality. Meanwhile, President Trump is drawing criticism for focusing on preparations for his own 'self-farewell ceremony.'

According to foreign media including CNN, on the 19th (local time), McConnell directly accused President Trump of inciting the Capitol riot that occurred on the 6th during a Senate floor session. McConnell stated, "President Trump and powerful figures provoked the protesters," and criticized, "The protesters attempted to use violence and terror to halt specific legislative procedures they disliked."

McConnell's direct criticism of President Trump is considered an unusual move. Consequently, the likelihood of the impeachment bill against President Trump being passed in the Senate has increased. The U.S. Senate currently has an equal number of seats for Republicans and Democrats, 50 each, and with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris assuming office as Senate President, the Democrats will effectively control the Senate.

In U.S. political circles, there is speculation that President Trump might establish a separate party from the Republicans to run in the next presidential election, increasing the possibility of bipartisan cooperation between Democrats and Republicans to carry out impeachment. According to The Washington Post (WP), at least 12 Republican senators are expected to support the impeachment bill. If a total of 17 Republican senators turn against President Trump, the impeachment bill will pass.

If the impeachment bill is finally approved, the Democrats can introduce a measure in Congress to restrict President Trump's eligibility for public office. Since this restriction bill only requires a majority in the Senate to pass, the Democrats, who already control the Senate, can pass it unilaterally. If the public office restriction bill passes, President Trump's 2024 re-election bid will be completely blocked.

Despite this situation, President Trump is reportedly preoccupied with preparations for his self-farewell ceremony. According to The New York Times (NYT), President Trump plans not to attend President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on the 20th but instead hold his self-farewell ceremony a few hours earlier and then return to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. This farewell ceremony has been planned at a level comparable to a state event, complete with a color guard, military band, 21-gun salute, and a red carpet. It is reported that President Trump requested an air show from the Department of Defense but was rejected.

Alongside preparations for the farewell event, President Trump is attempting to distance himself from the rioters involved in the Capitol riot by releasing the content of his farewell speech. In his farewell address, he said, "I pray that the new administration succeeds in making America safe and prosperous," and indirectly criticized the rioters by stating, "All Americans were horrified by the attack on the Capitol, and political violence can never be tolerated."