Republican Senators Who Voted to Convict Trump in Impeachment Trial Face Backlash at Home
In this screenshot taken from a congress.gov webcast, the articles of impeachment are read on the floor ahead of the vote on the fifth day of former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on February 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. House impeachment managers had argued that Trump was “singularly responsible” for the January 6th attack at the U.S. Capitol and he should be convicted and barred from ever holding public office again. congress.gov via Getty Images

The Republican senators who voted with the Democrats to convict former President Donald Trump on the charge of inciting insurrection for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot are now facing backlash back at their respective home states for their votes.

Republicans in their states are eyeing formal condemnations of these senators. Two of the seven Republicans who broke with Trump have been officially rebuked by their respective state GOPs.

According to a CBS News report, these were Senators Richard Burr of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. The North Carolina Republican Party approved to censure Burr in a vote on Monday for his decision to convict Trump. The Louisiana GOP, on the other hand, voted unanimously on Saturday to censure Cassidy.

GOP States

Head of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, Lawrence Tabas, notified members of the Republican State Committee in an email on Saturday that he would be calling a meeting to address issues and consider actions related to the Senate's impeachment vote.

However, the email did not specify the meeting's date or mention Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania by name. Several state committee members said they felt that the email referred to him.

Toomey tweeted after votes to acquit Donald Trump in the impeachment trial that the former president's betrayal of the Constitution and his oath of office required conviction.

Washington County Republican Chairman Dave Ball told CBS Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV that they did not send him there to vote his conscience to do the "right thing," adding that they sent him there to represent the Republicans.

Republicans in York County, Pennsylvania have already voted to censure Toomey over the weekend, saying he is not in line with the "core beliefs of the people of Pennsylvania." Toomey is reportedly facing possible censure from the state's Republican Party too.

Also, a censure resolution was drafted by a state GOP before the Senate started its trial admonishing Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska for criticizing and denouncing Trump on numerous occasions after the Capitol riot.

The Republican Party of Nebraska has set to hold its vote to censure Sasse on Saturday. However, it was delayed due to the weather.

CNBC reported that Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger has even received a letter signed by multiple family members who support Donald Trump.

"It is now most embarrassing to us that we are related to you. You have embarrassed the Kinzinger family name!" read the letter sent five days before he voted to convict Trump.

Neither Toomey nor Burr are seeking reelection next year. Only one GOP senator who voted for conviction will be facing voters in the next election cycle.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said that her vote was consequential on many levels. But she said she cannot allow the significance of her vote to be devalued by whether or not she feels that it is helpful for her political ambitions.

Republican Leaders

Meanwhile, other Republican leaders are divided on Trump's role in the Republican party after his election loss to President Joe Biden and the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy met with Donald Trump in Florida in late January. Weeks earlier, McCarthy said on the House floor that Trump "bears responsibility" for the Capitol riot.

But after the private meeting with Trump, McCarthy said in a statement that the former president committed to helping elect GOP members in the House and Senate in 2022.

"A united conservative movement will strengthen the bonds of our citizens and uphold the freedoms our country was founded on," McCarthy added as reported by Independent.