Old North News

The North Carolina Republican Party has voted unanimously to censure Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) following his vote to impeach former President Donald Trump.

"The North Carolina Republican Party Central Committee voted unanimously to censure Senator Richard Burr for his vote to convict former President Trump in the impeachment trial which he declared to be unconstitutional,” the party said in a statement, The Epoch Times reported. 

Senators voted 57-43 in favor of conviction, but the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority, leading to the acquittal. The GOP has encouraged unity going ahead. 

“Now that the Senate has voted to acquit President Trump, we hope that Democrats will set aside their divisive partisan agenda and focus on the American priorities of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, safely reopening schools, and restarting the economy.” the statement read, as reported by The Epoch Times. 

Burr has since released a statement, blaming Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 violence.

“The President promoted unfounded conspiracy theories to cast doubt on the integrity of a free and fair election because he did not like the results. As Congress met to certify the election results, the President directed his supporters to go to the Capitol to disrupt the lawful proceedings required by the Constitution. When the crowd became violent, the President used his office to first inflame the situation instead of immediately calling for an end to the assault,” Burr said in his statement, The Epoch Times reports.

“As I said on January 6th, the President bears responsibility for these tragic events. The evidence is compelling that President Trump is guilty of inciting an insurrection against a coequal branch of government and that the charge rises to the level of high Crimes and Misdemeanors. Therefore, I have voted to convict.” Burr said, as reported by The Epoch Times. 

Trump has however been acquitted of the charges against him. Other Republicans who voted for a conviction have either been censured or have risked Republican opposition in the next primary election.

Burr will retire in 2022 when his current term lapses. Lara Trump has been suggested as a suitable candidate for his replacement. A former Trump adviser close to the family said Lara, daughter-in-law to the former president, would find it easier to relate to constituents, and gain support. 

“She would immediately galvanize conservative support, and not just because her last name is Trump,” the adviser said, The Epoch Times reported. “Lara knows North Carolina and North Carolina knows her. If she decides to run, she’d bring an unmatched ability to connect with voters, while also being able to raise the money necessary to compete in a close election."