Newshour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff spoke with Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., amid a Jan. 13 hearing in the House considering whether to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time.
Democrats are pursuing a quick impeachment a week after President Donald Trump gave a speech they say incited insurrection. On Jan. 6, while Congress was in the process of counting electoral votes and certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win, a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, clashed with police, and forced lawmakers to pause their sessions and evacuate to safety.
Johnson said he does not condone Trump’s rhetoric, but said he does not agree with rushing to impeach him, either. He said it is unrealistic for Trump to be removed through impeachment before his term ends because of the timeline with the Senate vote.
“I’m frustrated with the president, but I am not interested in having him convicted and removed from office without allowing him those due process rights,” he said.
Johnson said he has received threats largely from extreme pro-Trump supporters after he voted to certify the election results. He said violence is not the answer, and that Trump deserves some responsibility for the Capitol riot, but that it should be handled in the courts.
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