U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer from Grand Rapids voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump. As one of only a handful of Republicans voting to impeach, Patrick Center spoke with the freshman congressman about what went into his decision.
“I’ll be honest, this is something I agonized over.”
Republican U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer tells us he had to consider the timing, due process and political ramifications. Ultimately, it was a vote of conscience.
“You know, I read the articles and they were appropriate," said Meijer. "They were what we experienced and what happened. I had to vote yes and support that impeachment.”
A timeline of events as the U.S. Capitol was sacked by pro-Trump supporters play into his decision; five Americans dead including a Capitol Police officer and the mob seeking the Vice President chanting “Hang Mike Pence.” Ultimately, President Trump’s video released during the insurrection expressing admiration for the mob and the President’s shrinking from leadership when it was needed most forced Representative Meijer’s hand.
“You know, the President still hasn’t taken responsibility," Meijer says. "Still refuses to, kind of acknowledge what role he may have played publicly and the rhetoric that led up to the attack on the Capitol. And in order to have unity, in order to heal, in order to move forward, we have to have accountability first.”
Meijer says President Trump has betrayed and misled millions of Americans claiming the election was stolen – and - his actions betrayed his oath of office. While Meijer’s vote could amount to what he calls “political suicide,” he’s comfortable with impeaching Donald J. Trump based on his best judgement and conscience.