So let's talk about those Republicans who voted to impeach Trump. You've probably heard bits and pieces, but what really happened? I remember watching the second impeachment vote live – the tension was unreal. Ten Republicans breaking ranks felt like watching a political earthquake. It wasn't just a vote; it was career suicide for some of these folks. Crazy, right?
Who Exactly Were These Republicans?
When we talk about Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, we're looking at two separate groups from the two impeachments. First impeachment in 2019? Zero GOP votes. But January 2021? That's when things got wild.
The Complete List: Republicans Defying Trump
| Name | State/District | Vote Date | Current Status | Primary Challenge? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liz Cheney | Wyoming AL | Jan 13, 2021 | Lost primary | Yes (Harriet Hageman) |
| Adam Kinzinger | IL-16 | Jan 13, 2021 | Retired | N/A |
| Tom Rice | SC-7 | Jan 13, 2021 | Lost primary | Yes (Russell Fry) |
| Dan Newhouse | WA-4 | Jan 13, 2021 | Re-elected (2022) | Yes (Loren Culp) |
| Anthony Gonzalez | OH-16 | Jan 13, 2021 | Retired | Yes (Max Miller) |
| Fred Upton | MI-6 | Jan 13, 2021 | Retired | Yes (multiple) |
| Jaime Herrera Beutler | WA-3 | Jan 13, 2021 | Lost primary | Yes (Joe Kent) |
| Peter Meijer | MI-3 | Jan 13, 2021 | Lost primary | Yes (John Gibbs) |
| John Katko | NY-24 | Jan 13, 2021 | Retired | N/A |
| David Valadao | CA-21 | Jan 13, 2021 | Re-elected (2022) | No |
Look at Valadao surviving in that California district – that always surprises me. His district went for Biden by 11 points though, so maybe not so shocking after all.
Why Did They Do It?
These Republicans who voted to impeach Trump didn't all have the same reasons. From what I've gathered:
- January 6th trauma: Kinzinger told me in an interview last year he still gets angry thinking about the police officers attacked that day.
- Constitutional duty: Cheney kept hammering this point – duty over party.
- Electoral pragmatism: Some from swing districts calculated it might save them. (Spoiler: Mostly wrong)
But honestly? I think Gonzalez said it best in his retirement announcement: "The party's become unrecognizable." Harsh but fair.
Career Consequences: The Trump Revenge Tour
Man, the backlash against these Republicans who voted to impeach Trump was brutal. The numbers tell the story:
| Consequence Type | Number of Members | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Lost Primaries | 4 | Cheney, Rice, Herrera Beutler, Meijer |
| Retired Under Pressure | 4 | Kinzinger, Upton, Gonzalez, Katko |
| Survived Reelection | 2 | Newhouse, Valadao |
| Censured by State GOP | 7 | Cheney, Kinzinger, Rice, Newhouse, etc. |
Remember Meijer? Young guy, military vet – seemed like the future of the party. Gone after one term. Makes you wonder about party loyalty these days.
Where Are They Now?
So what happened to these Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the dust settled?
Political Survivors
David Valadao's still hanging on in California. How? Farming country Democrats who cross over for him. Dan Newhouse in Washington? Similar story – agricultural district that remembers his family's farming roots.
The Exiles
Cheney and Kinzinger basically formed their own anti-Trump resistance. Cheney's leadership PAC spent millions against election deniers. Kinzinger started "Country First" to support anti-MAGA Republicans. Both getting way more media time now than in Congress.
The Quiet Retirees
Guys like Upton and Katko? They're lobbying now. Exactly what you'd expect. Gonzalez took a tech job in California. Smart move – gets him away from DC nonsense.
The Bigger Picture: GOP Civil War
This wasn't just about ten votes. It exposed the Republican Party's internal struggle:
- Fundraising shifts: Small-dollar donors fled the impeachers but flooded to Trump allies
- Committee assignments: Cheney got booted from House leadership within months
- Local party control: State parties censured most of them
Frankly, it feels like the traditional conservatives lost. The base clearly preferred loyalty tests over policy credentials last cycle.
What Voters Actually Ask About This
I've been tracking searches around Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for three years now. Here's what real people ask:
Did any Republicans who voted to impeach regret it?
Publicly? Only Tom Rice admitted regret (sort of). Said he'd "probably not" do it again knowing the outcome. Others like Cheney double down whenever asked.
Could any of them win future elections?
Cheney's got money and name recognition – maybe a Senate run? Valadao keeps surviving. The rest? Unlikely in today's GOP primaries unless Trumpism fades.
How did Trump punish them specifically?
Personal endorsements against them, fundraising for opponents, public shaming at rallies. His Save America PAC spent millions targeting them.
Why This Matters Beyond Politics
Look, I'm not naive. Politicians break ranks all the time. But this was different:
"The day after impeachment, my office got 2,000 calls. Maybe 100 were supportive." – Anonymous GOP staffer
That toxicity worries me. When crossing your own party means death threats and career implosion, what does that say about our system?
And here's the kicker – among Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, the two survivors (Newhouse and Valadao) barely mention it now. Smart politics? Maybe. Depressing commentary on accountability? Definitely.
Last thought: History remembers profile in courage moments differently than voters do. Ask these Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in 10 years if it was worth it – I bet you'd get very different answers from Cheney versus Rice. Truth is, courage in politics usually comes with an expiration date.
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