A sober, shaken Senate returned to its hallowed chamber Wednesday night to slap away a frivolous election challenge, but its secondary purpose seemed to be to rise from the wreckage of a shocking day in which they were forced to flee the Capitol by a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump
The riot in the Capitol prompted more than half of those who had signed on to the protest to instead vote “no.” Catering to Trump’s supporters seemed less important than defending democracy.
“I ask my colleagues, do we weigh our own political fortunes more heavily than we weigh the strength of our republic, the strength of our democracy, and the cause of freedom?” said Romney, whose desk is directly behind Hawley. “What’s the weight of personal acclaim compared to the weight of conscience?”
More than 90 senators populated the chamber for the debate — guarded by dozens of heavily armed police — and the typically verbose crowd had to keep their remarks to just five minutes.
Trump ally Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also abandoned the president, appearing to cite his role in encouraging the mob.
“Trump and I, we had a hell of a journey. I hate it being this way,” Graham said. “From my point of view, he’s been a consequential president. But today … all I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.”
