10 Republicans who backed Trump impeachment after storming of US Capitol

The US House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time on Jan 14, 2021. PHOTO: AFP
Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Adam Kinzinger, who both voted to impeach US President Donald Trump, exchange a high five at the Capitol in Washington on Jan 13, 2021. PHOTO: NYTIMES

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - After the Republican party spent years defending President Donald Trump's behaviour, 10 Republican lawmakers decided to vote to impeach him on Wednesday (Jan 13) on charges that he incited his supporters to carry out the deadly Jan 6 attack on Congress.

The vote in the Democratic-controlled House was 232-197.

Here's a look at the Republicans who voted for impeachment along with 222 Democrats.

1. Liz Cheney

The No 3 House Republican, Cheney was the most senior member of her party to vote against efforts to challenge the Jan 6 Electoral College results confirming Trump's loss. The daughter of former Republican Vice-President Dick Cheney is a rising star in the party.

Liz Cheney and Anthony Gonzalez. PHOTOS: REUTERS

2. Anthony Gonzalez

Gonzalez is an Ohio Republican. "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," he wrote on Twitter.

3. Peter Meijer

Meijer, a new member of Congress from Grand Rapids, Michigan, said he was voting for impeachment with a "heavy heart". "The President betrayed his oath of office by seeking to undermine our constitutional process, and he bears responsibility for inciting the violent acts of insurrection last week," he said in a statement.

Peter Meijer and Dan Newhouse. PHOTOS: AFP, EPA-EFE

4. Dan Newhouse

Newhouse, from Washington state, announced his intention to vote to impeach on the House floor during Wednesday's debate, drawing applause from the roughly two dozen Democrats on the floor.

5. Adam Kinzinger

A frequent Trump critic, Kinzinger, from Illinois, said Trump broke his oath of office by inciting his supporters to insurrection and used his position to attack the legislative branch of government.

Adam Kinzinger and John Katko. PHOTOS: REUTERS, NYTIMES

6. John Katko

Katko, from New York, was the first member of the House Republican caucus to say he would vote for impeachment, on Tuesday. "To allow the president of the United States to incite this attack without consequence is a direct threat to the future of our democracy," he said.

7. Fred Upton

Upton, from Michigan, in November said Trump had shown no proof of his claims that his election defeat was the result of widespread fraud.

8. Jaime Herrera Beutler

Herrera Beutler is a moderate from Washington state. "The president's offenses, in my reading of the Constitution, were impeachable based on the indisputable evidence we already have," she said in a statement.

Fred Upton, Jaime Herrera Beutler and Tom Rice (seen with President Trump). PHOTOS: AFP, JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER/TWITTER, TOM RICE/TWITTER

9. Tom Rice

Rice is from a South Carolina district where Trump has heavy support. "I have backed this President through thick and thin for four years. I campaigned for him and voted for him twice. But, this utter failure is inexcusable," he wrote on Twitter.

10. David Valadao

Valadao in November reclaimed his former California seat from the Democrats. "Based on the facts before me, I have to go with my gut and vote my conscience," he said in a statement. "It's time to put country over politics."

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