Texas Republican: You can oppose impeachment and disagree with ‘some of this behavior’

Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) on Sunday dismissed the notion that voting against President Trump’s impeachment would set a precedent for future presidents to call on foreign leaders to investigate political rivals. 

“I don’t believe that’s the message that’s being sent. You can vote against impeachment and still disagree with some of the policies or some of the behavior,” Hurd said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Hurd, a vulnerable Republican who announced earlier this year he is not seeking reelection, has stated the July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was inappropriate. But he’s said he does not believe it is impeachable and plans to vote against articles of impeachment. 

“This is such a monumental vote using this process of impeachment is one of the most serious things the House of Representatives can do,” Hurd said Sunday.

“My fear is that you weaponize impeachment for political gains in the future,” he added. “Just like now we have budget debates that become weaponized voting for Supreme Court justices become weaponized and for me my standard for impeachment has always been a violation of the law.”

Hurd said he didn’t see “any evidence of bribery or extortion” in the witness depositions. 

Hurd added that he would’ve liked to hear from the president’s personal attorney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and “others.”

The House is expected to vote this week on two articles of impeachment against Trump after they passed the House Judiciary Committee in a party-line vote this week.