In light of what now seems like a clear attempt to conspire to overthrow the government, some former Trump statements become relevant again. For example, during the Trump presidency, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger admitted in a CNN interview that Republicans in Congress were “privately” against Trump’s statements that he was open to accepting damaging information on his 2020 political opponents from foreign countries.
Kinzinger spoke with conservative CNN host S.E. Cupp, a self avowed Republican who has also been outspoken in his criticism of the former President.
Cupp questioned Kinzinger on why so little rebuttal has came out of the Republican party about Trump’s outlandish collusion remarks on the ABC interview and asked when the party might take action to ensure such an act doesn’t happen.
“I am so sick of hearing ‘Republicans, when they talk privately, say one thing.’ What good does that do anyone?” @secupp asks @RepKinzinger why his GOP colleagues are so reluctant to publicly criticize Trump. pic.twitter.com/LVwyraZPCU— SE Cupp Unfiltered (@UnfilteredSE) June 16, 2019
Kinzinger then came to Trump’s defense, saying “I agree… So every day there’s kind of a new outrage, and about 70 percent of ’em aren’t any of Trump’s doing. I think it’s stuff taken out of context… I think he was maybe being a little cute by half on this.”
Kinzinger said admitted that he would like to see people take “stuff like this” more seriously but that he doubted Trump’s true intention to actually take any foreign information.
Democrats were quick to speak out about Trump’s comments, with Senator Elizabeth Warren leading the way, saying,
“A foreign government attacked our 2016 elections to support Trump, Trump welcomed that help, and Trump obstructed the investigation. Now, he said he’d do it all over again.” Warren tweeted, “It’s time to impeach Donald Trump.” Senator Elizabeth Warren
But some Republicans were outspoken as well. Mitt Romney said,
“I ran for president twice. I ran for governor once. I ran for Senate twice. I’ve never had any attempt made by a foreign government… Had that occurred I would’ve contacted the FBI immediately.” Senator Mitt Romney
It is largely interpreted that this would be in violation of the presidential oath of office, and thus the United States Constitution.
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
