Georgia's top law enforcement official has joined the chorus of Republicans who oppose the Democratic-led impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Attorney General Chris Carr said on social media on Monday that the House is “setting a bad precedent” with its push to oust Trump after he pressured Ukraine’s leader to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, one of his top political rivals.
"Impeachment should only ever be pursued with extreme caution, must follow due process & must be open & transparent," wrote Carr.
He echoed Georgia's two Republican U.S. Senators – Johnny Isakson and David Perdue – who have signed on as co-sponsors of a GOP-authored resolution that condemns House Democrats for an "unprecedented and undemocratic" impeachment inquiry.
The resolution was unveiled last week after Trump called for Democrats to step up their defense of him, and it slams Democrats for refusing to hold a full floor vote formally authorizing the investigation.
House Democrats, meanwhile, outlined plans Monday for a vote later this week to formalize impeachment procedures. House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern said the Thursday vote would “ensure transparency and provide a clear path forward” for the inquiry.
More: Inside the slow start in the race for Isakson's Senate seat
More: Isakson, Perdue both sign on to oppose impeachment inquiry
Carr, a Republican, is a former top aide to Isakson who was appointed to the Attorney General's office in 2016. He narrowly won a full term in last year's midterm election with vows to crack down on gang crimes and defend conservative initiatives in court.
He is considered a potential candidate to succeed Isakson, who is stepping down at the end of the year, but he has yet to formally apply for the job with Gov. Brian Kemp's office and isn't actively maneuvering for it.
Kemp, too, has forcefully condemned the impeachment effort. He told an Athens crowd that the process was a "big waste of time" and that Democrats should focus their attention on an immigration overhaul and new trade agreements.
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