"I want him out": GOP Sen. Murkowski calls on Trump to resign
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Photo: Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that she wants President Trump to resign, and if the GOP cannot separate itself from the president, she would "sincerely" question her future in the party.
Why it matters: Murkowski’s comments come as some Republicans signal they may be open to the possibility of removing Trump from office over his actions before, during and after Wednesday’s deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol.
What she's saying: “I want him to resign. I want him out. He has caused enough damage,” Murkowski told the Anchorage newspaper.
- "He said he’s not going to show up. He’s not going to appear at the inauguration. He hasn’t been focused on what is going on with COVID," she added.
- "He doesn’t want to stay there. He only wants to stay there for the title. He only wants to stay there for his ego. He needs to get out. He needs to do the good thing, but I don’t think he’s capable of doing a good thing."
- Asked if she would consider switching her party affiliation to Independent, Murkowski said, "if the Republican Party has become nothing more than the party of Trump, I sincerely question whether this is the party for me."
The big picture: Many lawmakers, including Republicans, have condemned Trump's actions surrounding the riot of his supporters at the Capitol.
- House Democrats are planning to introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump as early as Monday.
- House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said in a Friday statement that, "Impeaching the President with just 12 days left in his term will only divide our country more."
- But other Republican senators, including Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), have said they would consider it.
- Murkowski did not comment specifically on impeachment in her interview with the Anchorage Daily News.
Go deeper: Republicans turn on Trump after mob violence at the Capitol
