Dec 19, 2019

Trump announces Rep. Jeff Van Drew will join Republican Party

Axios

Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump announced in the Oval Office Thursday that New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew will join the Republican Party.

Why it matters: Van Drew, elected as a Democrat in the 2018 midterms, was one of only two House Democrats who voted against both articles of impeachment on Wednesday night. He represents a congressional district that Trump won by nearly 5 points in the 2016 election.

Go deeper: Aides, campaign team resign from Van Drew's office over expected GOP switch

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Orion Rummler

Which Democrats voted against Trump's impeachment

Graphic: Danielle Alberti, Lazaro Gamio/Axios Visuals

Only two House Democrats crossed party lines to vote to oppose both articles of impeachment against President Trump on Wednesday. Both of them are feeling the pressure of representing swing districts Trump won in 2016.

Why it matters: Dissent was low as dozens of other Democrats who represent districts that Trump won sided with impeachment, either voting their conscience or calculating it could be even politically riskier to vote no.

Go deeperArrowDec 19, 2019
Alayna Treene

Trump impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress

Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump is now the third president in U.S. history to be impeached.

The big picture: The legislative ending seems clear — he's headed for acquittal in the Senate as early as next month and won't be removed from office. But this seals his place in history.

Go deeperArrowUpdated Dec 19, 2019
Fadel Allassan

Jeff Flake urges former GOP colleagues to "put country over party" in impeachment

Former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake. Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images

Jeff Flake urged his former GOP colleagues to "put country over party," as the chamber prepares for President Trump's impeachment trial, the ex-Arizona senator wrote in a Washington Post op-ed.

What he's saying: Flake writes that some Republicans may conclude that Trump's action warrant removal from office, while others will believe the president's misdeeds don't rise to the level of impeachment. "But what is indefensible is echoing House Republicans who say that the president has not done anything wrong. He has."

Go deeperArrowDec 21, 2019