CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Monday suggested the Senate censure, President Donald Trump, recognizing he “sees no path” for lawmakers removing the president from office.
Manchin’s remarks on the Senate floor followed closing arguments in the president’s impeachment trial, in which Trump faces charges after asking for Ukraine to investigate his political rivals.
“Censure would allow this body to unite across party lines and as an equal branch of government to formally denounce the president’s actions and hold him accountable,” Manchin said.
Trump faces abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges stemming from a July phone call with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy; Trump asked for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter and delayed millions of dollars in military aid around the time of the call.
The House of Representatives additionally accuses Trump of preventing investigators from accessing documents in addition to blocking officials from testifying.
“His behavior cannot go unchecked by the Senate, and censure would allow a bipartisan statement condemning his unacceptable behavior in the strongest terms,” Manchin added.
A resolution from Manchin states Trump deserves censure for using his office for personal benefit, noting Trump “wrongfully enlisted his personal lawyer to investigate a domestic political rival by meddling in formal diplomatic relations in a manner that is inconsistent with our established National Security Strategy.”
On the Senate floor, Manchin criticized his colleagues for not doing enough during the impeachment trial, including asking for witnesses. The chamber on Friday rejected an opportunity to hear new witnesses and access new documents. Senate Democrats and Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah voted for the motion.
“History will judge the Senate harshly for failing in its constitutional duty to try this case and do the impartial justice to defend the Constitution and to protect our democracy,” Manchin said. “Sadly, this is the legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren.”
He also blamed “tribal politics” for 51 Republicans blocking new information.
Manchin, who remains undecided on removing Trump, said the issue regarding the upcoming Senate vote is not if Trump’s action warrants removal, but if the country is better if the Senate removes Trump or voters decide the president’s future in November.
“Never before in the history of our republic has there ever been a purely partisan impeachment vote of the president,” Manchin added. “Removing this president at this time would not only further divide our deeply divided nation, but also further poison our already toxic political atmosphere.”
The Senate impeachment vote is scheduled for Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Friday she will vote to acquit the president.