Politics
Trump’s lawyer argues Hillary Clinton could be impeached as private citizen if Congress ‘sets precedent’ with Trump
DONALD Trump’s lawyer said on Friday that Hillary Clinton could be impeached as a private citizen if Congress sets a new “precedent” by impeaching the former president.
Lawyer Michael van der Veen made the comments during Trump’s impeachment trial, in response to a question from Senator Marco Rubio.
Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial is underway[/caption]
Lawyer Michael van der Veen said Democrats were setting a ‘precedent’ with the trial[/caption]
“This could happen to … the former secretary of state,” van der Veen said, referring to Clinton. “It could happen to a lot of people. That’s not the way this is supposed to work.”
Rubio, a Florida Republican, asked if “under this new precedent, facing calls to ‘lock her up,’ a future House could impeach a former secretary of state and potentially disqualify her from any future office?”
“If you see it their way, yes,” van der Veen said, referring to the House impeachment managers.
Trump’s lawyer said this ‘could happen to the former secretary of state,’ referring to Clinton[/caption]
Lead impeachment manager, Rep Jamie Raskin, said Rubio’s question “has no bearing on this case.”
“This official was not impeached while in office for conduct while in office,” Raskin said, referring to Clinton.
During Friday’s trial, Van Der Veen also slammed Congressional Democrats for accusing Trump of inciting the Capitol riots on January 6 with his words.
Van der Veen pointed out that Democrats had a particular problem with the phrase, “fight like hell,” which Trump told his supporters to do hours before the riot.
The lawyer played several clips that showed Democratic leaders using the same or very similar language.
Van der Veen slammed Democrats as ‘hypocrites’ during the Friday trial[/caption]
The videos he played featured quotes from President Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and several other prominent Democratic leaders.
Van der Veen denounced the impeachment as “constitutional cancel culture.”
“History will record this shameful effort as a deliberate attempt by the Democrat Party to smear, sensor and cancel, not just President Trump – but the 75million who voted for him,” van der Veen added.
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In order for Trump to get impeached, 67 votes are needed in the Senate.
However, convicting Trump is considered unlikely as the Democrats and Republicans currently control 50 seats each in the Senate.
For Trump to be convicted, at least 17 Republicans would have to vote with all 50 Democrats.
