National overview
Rand Paul warns that a third of Republicans will leave the party if the GOP senators repay the accusation
Senator Rand Paul (R., Ky.) Warned Friday that a third of Republican voters could leave the party if GOP senators vote in indictments to convict President Trump. Paul made the comment in an interview on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle. The senator’s remarks come amid a growing divide between Republicans in Congress who oppose the president’s accusation and a smaller number who support the measure following the January 6 riots at the Capitol. Republicans can use accusation to purge Trump of the GOP, though he needs the support of at least 16 additional Republican senators to vote to convict. ‘Look, I did not agree with the [Capitol] fight that happened last week, and I voted against overthrowing the election, but at the same time the accusation is a wrong, biased idea, [and] if Republicans go along with it, it will destroy the party, ‘Paul said during the interview. “A third of Republicans will leave the party,” Paul continued. “It’s not about the Electoral College anymore, it’s about the future of the party, and whether you will expel and excommunicate President Trump from the party. Well, guess what? Millions of his fans will also leave. While a majority of Americans believe that Trump should be removed from office immediately, only 17 percent of Republicans support Trump to oust the president, according to a poll by Axios – Ipsos released on Thursday. Support for Trump among Republicans has fallen since the riots in Capitol; However, 60 percent believe that the party should continue to follow Trump as soon as he leaves office, a poll by ABC News / Washington Post found.