GOP knocks 'rushed' process, calls for unity in wake of Capitol violence
Following several Republicans who aired their grievances with a "rushed" process, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, condemned Trump for pressing Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election but argued he couldn't support the impeachment article as written.
"Let us condemn which must be condemned but do it the right way with deliberation and without disastrous side effects. We must end tearing apart our nation by social media and sound bite," Roy said.
Another Texas Republican, Rep. Jodey Arrington, expressed some discontent at the president's rhetoric but suggested it would set a dangerous precedent to pin the actions of his supporters at the Capitol on the president.
![PHOTO: Trump supporters participated in a rally, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/trump-rally-ap-rc-210107_1610076720966_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg)
"I'm not saying that the president didn't exercise poor judgment, but to criminalize political speech by blaming lawless acts on the president's rhetoric is wrong and a very dangerous precedent," he said to groans from Democrats. "The criminals who stormed the Capitol that day acted on their own volition. They are responsible. This is an important moment for our nation. We have to come together."
While other Republicans didn't go so far as to directly condemn Trump, they all condemned the violence at the Capitol -- but argued it was time for unity and healing, instead of an impeachment with one week until Biden's inauguration.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Politics/gohmert-impeachment-ht-ps-210113_1610560914007_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg)
Democrats, however, rejected that stance.
"A police officer was killed. And what I hear from the other side is that it's time to heal? He's not even buried yet!" Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., scolded his colleagues.
"If he has four years or four days, we must do the right thing for all Americans because he must be held accountable," he added.
Republicans argued there had been no hearings or witnesses called in the Judiciary Committee, to which Democrats responded that the lawmakers themselves witnessed the violence and immediate action must be taken to avoid further threats.
-ABC News' Benjamin Siegel