Senator Tim Scott isn’t mincing words ahead of tomorrow‘s Senate impeachment conviction trial for former president and now-citizen Donald Trump.
Scott was asked about the impeachment trial, including his vote to dismiss it entirely as unconstitutional, just as 45 other Republican senators did.
“The president is simply not guilty,” Scott said. “So, that is why I am in the position that I’m in.”
“But let me say this first, John,” he continued, addressing Fox News’ John Roberts. “Who was in the chamber when the rioters were coming over? I was taking my jacket off, my tie off, rolling my sleeves up, just in case I had to fight. The chances of me understanding and appreciating the severity of the situation is a hundred percent.”
“The one person I don’t blame for that situation is President Trump,” he added.
“I don’t blame the non-violent protesters outside,” he continued. “I blame the individuals coming in the chamber. Coming in the building. And so the Democrats should put the blame where it stands, where it should be, and it does not, does not have to do with a president that said ‘go peacefully’ and protest.”
The senator’s words are laudable and much-needed. However, the tone of the 9 House Impeachment Managers’ litany of emotionally charged, fact-free accusations indicate that they will turn tomorrow’s first Senate impeachment hearing into a circus. Their most recent ridiculous claim is that Trump is “singularly responsible” for the capitol siege.
It is worth revisiting exactly what happened in the Senate chamber that day, however. Cartoonish figures waltzed onto the floor, read a scripted announcement to so-called “patriots,” and the capitol police stood and gawked at the bizarre spectacle without lifting a finger.
That’s how much danger the senators were in, judging by the behavior of the Capitol police who held the doors open and passively observed the capitol building incursion.
President Trump, for his part, could not have “incited” the pre-meditated attack, which law enforcement, the military, intelligence community, and the Congress itself knew was coming.
The Democrats are highly unlikely to get 17 members of the opposite party to believe their convoluted, revenge-fueled narrative against Donald Trump. Therefore, they are waging another baseless, fruitless vendetta with the sole aim of demonizing a former president and his political followers.
It’s a good thing that senators like South Carolina’s Tim Scott are making it clear that this is exactly what is going on.
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OPINION: This article contains commentary which reflects the author's opinion.