Meadows says Senate Republicans would face "political repercussions" for breaking with Trump during trial
In an interview with "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell, Congressman Mark Meadows said there would be repercussions if Republicans break with President Donald Trump on impeachment. O'Donnell sat down with impeachment defense surrogates Representatives Meadows, Doug Collins, Elise Stefanik and Debbie Lesko.
"Do you think Republican senators face political repercussions if they break with the president?" O'Donnell asked.
"Yeah, I do. I mean listen, I don't wanna speak for my Senate colleagues. But there are always political repercussions for every vote you take. There is no vote that is higher profile than this," Meadows said Monday.
Collins said the question "needs to be flipped."
"Where is a courageous Democrat who will actually look at the facts and vote in favor of not impeaching this president?" Collins asked.
"My question is: Where is a Democrat who will actually look at the facts and not simply follow behind Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff and Chuck Schumer, or their presidential candidates who are sitting in the jury pool, and follow them?"
O'Donnell also asked about Republican senators who may vote to call witnesses, and whether they would face political consequences for doing so.
"I think this witness question... is a very important one," Stefanik said. "Oftentimes, we're asked over 50% of the American people want the-- us to call witness. That doesn't just mean John Bolton. That means the whistleblower. That means Hunter Biden. And it really opens up challenges for the Democrats."
Watch more of O'Donnell's interview with Meadows, Collins, Stefanik and Lesko on the "CBS Evening News," Monday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m. ET.