CHARLESTON, W.Va. — President Donald Trump, continuing his victory lap following an acquittal in the impeachment trial, attacked U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., for voting to convict the president on two articles of impeachment.
….always continue. Every Republican Senator except Romney, many highly religious people, all very smart, voted against the Impeachment Hoax. @SenCapito was all in (a great person). I was told by many that Manchin was just a puppet for Schumer & Pelosi. That’s all he is!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2020
“I was very surprised & disappointed that Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted against me on the Democrat’s totally partisan Impeachment Hoax,” Trump tweeted Friday. “No President has done more for the great people of West Virginia than me (Pensions), and that will always continue.”
Manchin and his fellow Democratic senators voted Wednesday that Trump was guilty of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The two articles of impeachment stem from a phone call last summer with Ukraine’s president, in which Trump requested an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
The eldest Biden is running for president.
Republican Mitt Romney of Utah joined Democrats in the abuse of power vote. The Senate acquitted Trump 52-48 and 53-47.
Manchin explained Wednesday that House managers presented enough evidence to convict the president.
“I take no pleasure in these votes, and am saddened this is the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren,” the senator said. “I have always wanted this President, and every President to succeed, but I deeply love our country and must do what I think is best for the nation.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said leading up to the vote she supported acquitting Trump.
“Having considered the arguments and evidence, the House’s articles of impeachment do not provide me with a sufficient rationale for reversing the 2016 election and removing President Trump from the ballot in 2020. That is especially true considering the partisan nature of this impeachment process,” she said Wednesday.
Trump has attacked Romney for his vote, including Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast.
“Every Republican Senator except Romney, many highly religious people, all very smart, voted against the Impeachment Hoax. @SenCapito was all in (a great person),” Trump tweeted Friday. “I was told by many that Manchin was just a puppet for Schumer & Pelosi. That’s all he is!”
According to FiveThirtyEight, Manchin has voted 53% in line with Trump’s agenda, the highest percentage among active Democratic senators.
Manchin won re-election in 2018, beating state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, whom Trump endorsed and pushed at multiple campaign rallies ahead of the general election. Manchin said on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline” he wants to continue working with the president as best fit for the state.
Morning Consult notes Trump has a 59% approval rating and a 38% disapproval rating in West Virginia.