Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein walked back a statement on Tuesday after appearing to say she would oppose convicting President Trump in his impeachment trial.
Feinstein, 86, told the Los Angeles Times that she is leaning toward voting to keep Trump in office after hearing the defense from the president’s legal team. The senator said that she believes Trump has many flaws, especially relating to the findings in the House’s impeachment, but she said that the voters should decide Trump’s fate in November.
“Nine months left to go. The people should judge. We are a republic. We are based on the will of the people. The people should judge,” Feinstein said. “That was my view and it still is my view.”
She added, “Impeachment isn’t about one offense. It’s really about the character and ability and physical and mental fitness of the individual to serve the people, not themselves.”
Feinstein, who is the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, surprised many when she announced that she was leaning against impeaching Trump. Most eyes have been on moderate Democrats in Trump-won states, like West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, when looking for bipartisan votes against impeachment.
After her remarks spread on social media, Feinstein issued a clarification, tweeting, “The LA Times misunderstood what I said today. Before the trial I said I’d keep an open mind. Now that both sides made their cases, it’s clear the president’s actions were wrong. He withheld vital foreign assistance for personal political gain. That can’t be allowed to stand.”
The LA Times misunderstood what I said today. Before the trial I said I’d keep an open mind. Now that both sides made their cases, it’s clear the president’s actions were wrong. He withheld vital foreign assistance for personal political gain. That can’t be allowed to stand.
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) January 28, 2020
The Senate has not come to a decision on whether to call additional witnesses, such as John Bolton, before calling the final vote. Some Republicans, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, have said they believe leaks from Bolton’s new book strengthen the case for his testimony, while other Republicans see Bolton as an opportunity to strike a deal to get testimony from Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, or the whistleblower.
