Additionally, some Democrats privately argue that such a vote could give Republicans who voted for acquittal political cover by attempting to distance themselves from Trump’s actions without taking a more punitive step by condemning him during the Senate impeachment process.
Meanwhile, there are other Democrats who say a censure resolution could be structured to effectively prevent Trump from fleeing from office again under the Constitution’s 14th Amendment – an idea recently floated by sens. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia and Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine. Some Democrats also believe that laying down a censure resolution would actually put GOP lawmakers in a difficult political position, as voting for such a move would almost certainly result in backlash from their Trump-supporting base, and Republicans would cannot rest on their trial argument that they now embrace: that it is unconstitutional to have an impeachment lawsuit for a former president.
“There are two ways to look at it,” said a Democratic senator who asked not to be named to discuss private discussions. “One is, do you have another chance to get some sort of condemnation? But another way of looking at it is, give you (Republicans) a chance to get better at something that doesn’t have that much impact in terms of accountability? “
Some don’t really seem to like that route.
“Censorship is so small in my opinion compared to the enormity of what he’s done,” said Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii. “I think other jurisdictions may have different things to say about some of the questions from (Trump’s) other activities.”
“No, not even close,” said Senator Tom Carper, a Delaware Democrat, when asked about disapproval. ‘This is a lock. This is a closed and closed cabinet. It’s even stronger and clearer than I imagined. ‘
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have been mum about what other means they should be taking against Trump. At a press conference Thursday, Pelosi said “I can make some comments next week.”
Pelosi added, “I’m not responding to anything that hasn’t happened yet.”
Some Democrats believe they should only go that path when there is a strong showing from Senate Republicans.
“It should be a two-pronged initiative,” said Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island. “So that’s the first hurdle.”
However, Republicans aren’t very hungry for that idea – and some don’t want to tackle it.
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican and member of the leadership team, would not say whether he agrees to condemn Trump.
“I would say the managers have chosen their course, and I don’t think that’s going to be an option,” Cornyn said of disapproval.
When asked if Trump should be censored, Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, said, “That’s not the question before us,” arguing again that the Senate should not set a precedent by trying a former president .
But Senator John Thune, the Senate Republican No. 2, indicated he could support a censure to punish Trump, saying, “I’ve seen some resolutions that could get some support.”
Asked by CNN if he’s covered, and he nodded, “Yes.”
But he threw cold water on a censure resolution to also prevent Trump from running again through the 14th Amendment.
“I don’t think they will go anywhere,” said Thune.
Democrats say the ultimate question is whether such a move would send the right message to a future president.
“I think we should all be concerned about sending the right message that this can never happen again,” said Senator Martin Heinrich, a Democrat from New Mexico.
This story was updated Friday with additional developments.