Democratic Senator Calls for Trump to be Censured During Impeachment Trial

Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate will be over before you know it, having transpired nearly exactly as Mitch McConnell planned.

The Senate Majority Leader told the nation early in the process that he was looking to produce an expedient and exonerating result for the Commander in Chief, and it appears as though he is poised to make good on that promise.

The only wrinkle in that plan so far came to us on Monday, when an on-the-fence Democrat went off-the-rails.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia on Monday advocated for censuring President Donald Trump for the behavior exhibited in the two articles of impeachment passed by the House as opposed to voting to remove Trump from office.

In comments made on the Senate floor, Manchin said that he believes that a “bipartisan majority of this body would vote to censure President Trump,” as opposed to voting to remove the President, which would require 67 votes, or at least 20 Republicans joining all 47 members who caucus with the Democrats.

Manchin, who is among a few Democrats from red or purple who could side with Republicans on impeachment, would not say which way he plans to go at Wednesday’s scheduled vote on whether to acquit the President.

“I remain undecided on how I will vote,” he said Monday.

It is highly unlikely that a Republican Party so united against impeachment would suddenly splinter on censure, making Manchin’s suggestion little more than mainstream media fodder.

President Trump is expected to be acquitted by week’s end, with no additional witnesses being called in the Senate.