Republicans reject Trump’s call for dismissal of impeachment charges
Top Senate Republicans have rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for immediate dismissal of his impeachment charges as the democratic-controlled House prepares to send the charges to the Senate trial.
“I don’t think there’s any interest on our side of dismissing. I think our members, generally are not interested in the motion to dismiss. They think both sides need to be heard,” said Senator Roy Blunt, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and chairman of the Senate Rules Committee.
The Associated Press said one key Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, said she too would oppose a motion to dismiss the charges.
The AP said Collins is leading an effort among some Republicans, including Mitt Romney, to ensure the ground rules include plans to eventually consider voting to call witnesses.
Senior Republicans, most of whom are prepared not to convict Trump, said immediate dismissal of president’s charges could not win approval in the Senate trial (chamber).
Over the weekend, Trump urged the Senate to simply dismiss the charges against him rather than giving legitimacy to charges, which he considers a “hoax.”
Trump was impeached by the majority-Democrat House on Dec. 18, on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstructed a subsequent investigation in the House.
The Senate’s trial has not begun because the House has yet to pass the articles of impeachment to the Senate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not set the timing for the House vote to launch the Senate action. Democrats said the vote could take place Wednesday.
Trump has become the third US president in American history to be impeached by the House, setting up a trial that will decide whether he remains in the White House ahead of the election season.
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