Republican moderates find themselves in an uncomfortable position as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has pledged his support for a proposed resolution aimed at “expunging” former President Donald Trump’s two impeachments. His announcement has caused distress among Republicans in vulnerable districts, according to CNN congressional reporter Manu Raju.
The resolution, spearheaded by Elise Stefanik, a member of the House Republican leadership, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, a devoted Trump ally and staunch conservative, is symbolic in nature. It seeks to expunge two of Trump’s impeachments from the previous Congress.
The first impeachment charged Trump with abuse of power due to reports that he had withheld congressionally-authorized security funds from Ukraine and attempted to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into investigating Biden’s family. The second impeachment accused him of incitement to insurrection for his role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Raju stated, “In a significant announcement just moments ago, Kevin McCarthy confirmed his support for the expungement effort regarding Trump’s impeachments. Although symbolic, this move does not alter the actual historical record of the impeachments. However, if it were to advance, it could pose a challenge for some moderates.”
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Several moderate Republicans, particularly those unwilling to vote on or publicly back Trump, especially regarding the events of January 6th, might find themselves in a difficult position. Don Bacon, a representative from Nebraska whose district was carried by Biden, remarked that the idea seemed “kind of weird.”
While McCarthy did not commit to bringing the resolution to the floor, he indicated that it would be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee, which would then make a decision. He also clarified that he had not discussed the matter with Trump.
Watch Manu Raju’s report below from CNN:
