In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the part Ohio's congressional delegation played in the impeachment of President Trump.
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In this week's episode:
The #1 Most Impeached President Of All Time
During Wednesday's impeachment of President Trump, on charges of "incitement of insurrection," Ohio’s 16 members of Congress largely voted with their parties. All four Ohio Democrats voted to impeach the president for a second time – the first president to ever get impeached twice. Most Ohio Republicans voted against impeachment, but their enthusiasm for Trump was subdued in some cases.
Rep. Jim Jordan, who gave the opening remarks for Republicans, remained steadfast in his support of the president and repeated false claims of a rigged election. Rep. Steve Chabot complained of a lack of due process and called it a "snap impeachment." Rep. Steve Stivers, who hinted he might support impeachment, voted against it in the end.
There was one Republican Congressman who voted to impeach the president: Rep. Anthony Gonzalezfrom Northeast Ohio, who said in a statement that “the President of the United States helped organize and incite a mob that attacked the United States Congress... that resulted in the deaths of five people.”
Gonzalez's statement continured, "When I consider the full scope of events leading up to January 6th including the President's lack of response as the United States Capitol was under attack, I am compelled to support impeachment."
It is very unlikely the Senate will hold a trial on this impeachment before Trump leaves office, but they may hold one after he’s out of the White House. If convicted, Trump would be precluded from ever holding office again.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) wants Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to act as quickly as possible. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) has only committed to "listen to the cases presented by both sides" if an impeachment trial takes place.
Snollygoster Of The Week
Brand new congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia subscribes to many unfounded QAnon conspiracy theories. This week, she wore a face mask with the word "CENSORED" in large type as she spoke to Congress and to millions of Americans watching on television.
A day before that, Greene wore a mask that read "Molon Labe," a Greek phrase meaning “come and take them,” a favorite slogan of far-right activists and gun rights groups. She also announced she will file articles of impeachment against Joe Biden the day he takes office.
Send questions and comments to snollygoster@wosu.org.
