Sixth House Republican backs Trump impeachment

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) on Wednesday afternoon announced he would vote to impeach President Trump on a charge of inciting last week’s deadly U.S. Capitol riots, becoming the sixth Republican to do so.

“This is a pivotal and solemn moment in our country’s history. I wholeheartedly believe our nation — and the system of government it was founded upon — may well be in jeopardy if we do not rise to this occasion. This is not a decision I take lightly,” Newhouse said in a statement Wednesday.

My full statement on the House impeachment vote: pic.twitter.com/X74Sgq1Nqu

— Rep. Dan Newhouse (@RepNewhouse) January 13, 2021

“A vote against this impeachment is a vote to validate the unacceptable violence we witnessed in our nation’s capital,” added Newhouse. “It is also a vote to condone President Trump’s inaction. He did not strongly condemn the attack nor did he call in reinforcements when our officers were overwhelmed. Our country needed a leader, and President Trump failed to fulfill his oath of office.”

Newhouse affirmed his support on the House floor, saying he did so “with a heavy heart.”

GOP Rep. Dan Newhouse: “I will vote yes on these articles of impeachment.” #ImpeachmentDay pic.twitter.com/xSckuDVvcK

— The Hill (@thehill) January 13, 2021

Unlike in 2019, when Trump was impeached in the House along party lines, at least six House Republicans have said they will vote to impeach him Wednesday, including Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), the third-highest ranking Republican in the chamber.

Other Republicans backing impeachment include Reps. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), John Katko (N.Y.), Fred Upton (Mich.) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (Wash.).

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said on MSNBC Wednesday that he had spoken with other House Republicans who said they feared for their lives if they voted for impeachment.