Rand Paul on Senate trial: ‘I don’t think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment’ – msnNOW

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WASHINGTON GOP Senator Rand Paul said Thursday that he believes no Republican senatorswill vote to convict and remove President Donald Trump.

Speaking to The Hill in an interview, the Kentucky senator said, I really think the verdict has already been decided as well. I dont think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment.

The House voted last month to impeach Trump.

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It takes at least two-thirds of the Senate, or 67 votes, to convict Trump on the two charges filed by the Houseabuse of power and obstruction of Congress and remove himfrom office.For that to happen,at least 20 Republicans would need to join the Democrats and independents.

I think the votes have been decided. As much as anybody will be pretending to be judicious about this, I dont think that theres one senator who hasnt decided how theyre going to vote, Paul said.

Paul's interview comes on the same day the Senateswore in Chief Justice John Roberts to preside over the impeachment trial.

Senator's alsotook a constitutionally required oath "to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws" in theimpeachment trial of Trumpover his attempts to get Ukraine to publicly investigate political rival Joe Biden.

'Impartial justice': Can partisan senators serve as unbiased jurors in the Trump impeachment trial?

More: What is an impeachment manager, and what do they do?

According to The Hill, Paul also warned that Republicans votingto impeach Trump would end their political career.

More: Senate opens impeachment trial against President Trump

Chief Justice John Roberts' impeachment trial role: speak softly, set a good example

I think if youre pretty much no longer interested in running for office, or no longer interested in getting Republican votes, you might vote to impeach the president, Paul said. This isnt just a policy difference.

He continued, When it comes to whether or not youre going to impeach a president of your own party, particularly over a policy difference or whether or not he has lack of decorum or whatever, I think thats something that a lot of voters will not excuse.

Every Republicanin the House voted against both articles. The Houses lone independent, former Republican Justin Amash of Michigan, voted with Democrats to impeach Trump on both charges.

Old English, Pelosi's many pens and special walks: Your weird impeachment questions, answered

Contributing:Ledyard King, Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I dont think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment'

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Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I don't think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment' - msnNOW