With opponents already queuing up for primary challenges in ’22 and Trump Republicans vowing revenge, Rep. Tom Rice, R-S.C., explained to Newsmax how he became perhaps the least expected of the 10 House Republicans to vote for the impeachment of Donald Trump.
In discussing what is easily the most controversial move he has made in his decade-plus in Congress, Rice, 63, also voiced his view that it was “an awful shame” some of his colleagues were trying to oust Wyoming’s Rep. Liz Cheney as chairman of the House GOP Conference for also supporting impeachment.
"You don't punish someone for a vote of conscience," he said.
As for Trump himself returning as a candidate for president in ’24 and whether he would support him, the South Carolinian replied: “I’d really have to think about that.”
“There is no part of the votes I cast that consider what support I will lose for casting them,” Rice told us, adding his view that congressmen who calculate support and loss of support from their votes are “unworthy of the office.”
He also noted that he has a record of strong support for the president’s policies “not because I worship Donald Trump but because I thought they were working great.”
Citing his background as a tax lawyer and accountant, Rice felt that the Trump tax cuts and policy on trade are “a legacy that is working.”
His problem with the 45th president stems solely from the events in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. There was nothing worse the president could have done, Rice said, “short of firing the shots himself.”
In the South Carolinian’s view, Trump “showed a callous disregard for the well-being of some of his strongest supporters in Congress” with his remarks to those who ended up in the Capitol.
“And I was particularly upset that these people threatened Vice President Pence,” Rice said, adding that Pence showed “amazing restraint and courage” with the mob so close to him.
South Carolina’s 7th District is, according to State Republican Chairman Drew McKissick, “Trump Country.” Last November, the 7th gave 59% of its votes to the president as the Palmetto State was giving Trump 55%. Two-term State Rep. William Bailey is just one of several GOP office-holders eyeing a challenge to Rice in ’22.
Rice has already filed a reelection committee and dismisses talk he will step down after the vote that has brought him so much criticism.
As to whether Trump will be convicted of anything, he replied: “I’ll leave it up to the Senate.”
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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