Several GOP senators say the footage played by House managers throughout the afternoon was chilling and they are shaken by what they saw, but are signaling they won’t change their plans to vote to acquit former President Trump in the impeachment case.
Here's what some GOP senators said:
- When asked if he was shaken, Sen. Mike Braun told CNN, "Same way that I was before." He added it's hard to vote to convict “when you think the process is flawed in the first place."
- Sen. Ron Johnson said he was shaken, but added that he blames the rioters, not Trump.
- Sen. John Cornyn, usually very talkative, told CNN, “I’ve got nothing for you now.”
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is likely to convict, said on camera “that the evidence that was presented thus far is pretty damning.” Asked if she’s concerned about the ramifications if the Senate doesn’t bar Trump from running again, she said, “I don’t see how Donald Trump could be re-elected to the presidency.”