Escaping Impeachment, Donald Trump's Influence Is Still Very Strong In The Republican Party

Donald Trump. (Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

JAKARTA - For the second time, Donald Trump has escaped impeachment by the United States Senate (US), after the vote at the impeachment trial last weekend only reached results of 57-43 which found Trump guilty or less than 2/3 of the majority related to accusations of inciting unrest in Capitol Hill, Washington DC.

With only seven Republican politicians believing Trump was guilty of the charges against him, it is evident that Donald Trump's influence is still so strong that the majority of Republican senators are 'behind him'.

This condition is said to make the Republican Party in an uncomfortable position, related to the attempt to win the 2022 election to control the US Congress and the 2024 general election.

“It's hard to imagine Republicans winning national elections without Trump's supporters any time soon. The party cannot win with Trump. But the party can't win without him either", said Republican strategist and aide to Senator Marco Rubio, Alex Conant.

Trump has not hinted at his long-term political plans after leaving impeachment. However, he had previously stated that he wanted to bring back the Republican Party to control the majority of the Congress in the upcoming 2022 elections.

“Whether he runs again is up to him. However, he will still have an enormous influence on policy direction as well as in evaluation. You can call him a king or whatever you want to call him", said an adviser.

Although he still has a strong influence within the Democratic Party, Trump is not popular outside the party. A new Ipsos poll published on Saturday showed some 71 percent of Americans believe Trump is at least partly responsible for starting the offensive on the Capitol. Fifty percent believed she should be convicted in the Senate, 38 percent opposed and 12 percent were unsure.

Democrats say many Republican senators are afraid to vote with their conscience to punish Trump, fearing retribution from his supporters.

"If this vote is done in secret, there will be penalties", said Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was among Republicans who voted to release Trump on Saturday, although he later slammed the former president as "practically and morally responsible" for provoking violence.

His position illustrates how some Republican leaders seek to distance themselves from Trump and limit his influence, without angering Trump and his supporters.

"McConnell's words will not help Republicans in the 2022 mid-term congressional elections, Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News Sunday.

“I think Senator McConnell's speech, (because) he got a load on his chest. "Republican candidates in 2022 will certainly be asked what they think of McConnell's condemnation of Trump's actions".

It is known that several Republican lawmakers who voted to 'cut ties' with Donald Trump received strong reactions. Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania drew harsh internal party criticism. Liz Cheney, who supported impeachment, survived attempts to be removed from office by conservative Republicans. Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska has also drawn criticism.