Senate Republicans rush to defend Trump — while condemning 'rush to judgment' by Democrats

Senate Republicans are circling the wagons around Donald Trump and assailing the House for its supposed “rush to judgment” on impeachment—the “rush” being that after months upon months of serious revelations about Trump’s actions, the House is opening an impeachment inquiry to investigate further.

That was Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, trotting out the talking point of a Republican who wants to seem serious and fair while laying the groundwork for never ever voting to convict Trump no matter how much evidence of wrongdoing emerges. “Would it have been better if he hadn’t brought up Biden’s name? Yes, I agree with that. But the rush to judgment by the other body I think is totally unwarranted,” Portman said. Again, the “rush to judgment” is the act of beginning a formal inquiry. Trust Portman to go with the “my brow is furrowed over Trump’s actions but gosh these darn Democrats are just so extreme” routine—and he’s had practice.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham was predictably more fiery in defense of his lord and master. “I don’t want to turn the Senate into a circus,” he said. “I think there’s a belief among Republicans [that] Democrats have lost their minds when it comes to Trump.” Graham also denied hearing any quid pro quo in the partial “transcript” that has Trump responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s query about buying Javelins from the U.S. by saying, “I would like you to do us a favor though.”

Let’s recap that just to be clear. Zelensky tells Trump that Ukraine would like to buy some more anti-tank weaponry, and Trump says, “I would like you to do us a favor though,” and Graham says,“I don’t think there is anything remotely quid pro quo.” He must really have trouble following the plots of Mob movies.

Republicans assail Democrats for rushing to judgment where the supposed rush is saying, “We’re going to investigate,” while they themselves tell us that their minds are already made up and nothing can change them. So tell me again about rushing. Once again Republicans are letting us know—again and again and again—that partisan concerns come first with them.