Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced a resolution to condemn the Democratic-led impeachment probe against President Trump on Thursday afternoon. The measure will demand that lawmakers grant Trump the same due process as was given to former Presidents Clinton and Nixon.
The Democrats launched an impeachment inquiry against Trump last month based on a whistleblower complaint alleging Trump had threatened to withhold military aid from Ukraine if they refused to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter during a phone conversation in July. Trump denied any quid pro quo and said the call was "perfect."
"To me, it’s not an impeachable offense," Graham agreed on Thursday. "I have no problem with the phone call.”
The senator added that the impeachment inquiry isn't only partisan, but "dangerous."
Lindsey Graham calls the House impeachment process a “danger to the future of the presidency.”
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 24, 2019
“If you can drive down a president’s poll numbers” while pursuing impeachment in closed-door meetings, he says, then “God help future presidents.” pic.twitter.com/wQAKixOBFj
"It is dangerous to the president," Graham said, adding it is a "danger to the future of the presidency."
The Democrats, he said, are going "off script." House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff has been holding closed door testimony the past few weeks with three select committees, which prompted Republicans like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to storm the depositions on Wednesday. Gaetz claims that as a member of the Judiciary Committee, which launched the inquiry, he should be granted permission to these testimonies.
Graham didn't introduce his resolution without ripping the press for what he deemed a double standard.
(Warning: graphic language)
Graham suggests press is giving Dems a pass on impeachment process: "If Republicans did this, you would beat the shit out of me...What they’re doing selectively leaking information to drive poll numbers down and increase impeachment numbers..."
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 24, 2019
Lindsey Graham condemned the impeachment inquiry today on Cap Hill, telling Dems, “If we were doing this, you would beat the shit out of us.” pic.twitter.com/jyABeUcTO8
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 24, 2019
You can read Graham's full resolution against the Democrats here.