Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, a moderate Republican, said Thursday he will vote against impeaching President Donald Trump, who is accused of abusing his power and obstructing Congress.
Upton, a top Democratic target in 2020, issued a written statement calling the impeachment process “highly partisan and clearly motivated by what I believe is an attempt to overturn the last election.” He said the time to vote on Trump is next November, not next week.
“The President’s behavior was wrongheaded, inappropriate, and ill-advised, but was it impeachable? My answer is no,” said Upton, who in 1998 voted yes on three of four articles of impeachment against then-President Bill Clinton.
Trump is accused of abusing his power by asking Ukraine to investigate his 2020 rival, Joe Biden, while holding military aid as leverage. He also is accused of obstructing Congress by blocking the House’s efforts to probe his actions.
Upton said he will oppose the abuse of power article against Trump for many of the same reasons he voted against the accusation against Clinton. Noting that other presidents have demanded executive privilege, Upton said the judiciary settles disputes between the executive and legislative branches.
“Since the courts have not ruled in this situation, obstruction of Congress is premature,” he said.
After the impeachment votes, he said, “we need to focus on what the American people really want us to focus on: solving problems that actually impact their lives.”
The Democratic-controlled House Judiciary Committee on Thursday was expected to send the articles of impeachment to the full House for action next week.
Upton, of St. Joseph in the state’s southwestern corner, is serving his 17th term and won his closest election in decades last year. He did not endorse Trump against Hillary Clinton in 2016.
His top opponent, Democratic state Rep. Jon Hoadley of Kalamazoo, said Upton’s remarks “sound to me like someone who is walking away from his oath of office and trying to create a partisan smokescreen. ... I think what President Trump did was wrong. Apparently, Congressman Upton does not.”
It appears Michigan’s five other Republican House members will also oppose impeachment. Some Democrats and Justin Amash, a former Republican who is now an independent, have indicated they will vote to impeach. Other Democrats in swing seats are undecided.
