GOP Sen. Toomey calls on Trump to resign: "It's the best path forward"
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) told CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday he believes President Trump should resign, following his comment to Fox News on Saturday that he believes the president "committed impeachable offenses" over his actions before, during and after Wednesday's deadly siege of the U.S. Capitol.
Why it matters: Toomey's comments come as some Republicans have signaled they may be open to the possibility of removing Trump from office over Wednesday's riot. He is the second Republican senator to call on Trump to resign, following Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
- Many lawmakers, including Republicans, have condemned Trump's actions surrounding the riot of his supporters at the Capitol.
- While some Republicans contend a second impeachment trial would "only divide our country more," others, including Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), have said they would consider the action.
What he's saying: "I think at this point with just a few days left, it's the best path forward," Toomey told anchor Jake Tapper on Sunday. "The best way to get this person in the rearview mirror. That could happen immediately. I'm not optimistic it will."
On Saturday, Toomey told Fox News' "The Journal Editorial Report": “I do think the president committed impeachable offenses, but I don’t know what’s going to land on the Senate floor if anything."
- Toomey said he doesn't know what the House is "going to send over, and one of the things that I’m concerned about, frankly, is whether the House would completely politicize something."
The big picture: House Democrats plan to move on a second impeachment of Trump as early as Monday — and on Wednesday at the latest, depending on member travel, Axios' Mike Allen reports.
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office noted in a memo to Republicans that the Senate won't reconvene for substantive business until Jan. 19, per the Washington Post. That means an impeachment trial couldn't begin before Inauguration Eve.
Go deeper: Democrats to vote on Impeachment II early next week