Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy censured by local Republican Party over impeachment vote, criticized by state GOP

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - United States Senator Bill Cassidy is facing criticism from the Republican Party for voting to continue the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.

Cassidy was one of six Republicans to vote with Democrats in the senate that the trial is constitutional.

The resolution, which was unanimously adopted on Wed., Feb. 10, by the East Baton Rouge Republican Party says Cassidy’s vote “to allow the impeachment fiasco to continue was a betrayal of the people of Louisiana and a rebuke to those who supported President Trump and him.”

“We condemn Senator Cassidy’s actions in the strongest manner,” it goes on to say. “He does not represent the people of this state or the Republican Party. He represents himself and has joined with some of the most dishonest and disreputable forces in our country to be part of this despicable sham.”

The state Republican Party also criticized Cassidy’s vote. In a statement, the Louisiana GOP said it is “ profoundly disappointed by Senator Bill Cassidy’s vote.”

Fox 8 political analyst Mike Sherman says Cassidy is beginning to show more independence not just toeing the party line.

“Bill Cassidy has been a very reliable conservative vote for his entire tenure in the United States Senate. What we’ve seen over the last few months is an independent streak where he’s willing to join a group of 10 Republicans to reach across party lines and, in the case of impeachment, be one of six to vote on a procedural and a constitutional matter,” Sherman says.

More: La. senators split on constitutionality of impeachment trial

The party censured him, an action the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has never taken before, declaring him “an object of shame.”

Cassidy tells Gray TV’s Washington D.C. Bureau he is undecided on how he will vote on conviction.

“We’ve not yet heard from the president’s defense team. That’s going to be important. But the House managers have put together a very good timeline,” Cassidy says.

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