President Donald Trump appeared composed and compassionate as he delivered remarks in a video posted less than two hours after the House voted to impeach him for a second time Wednesday. Behind the scenes, however, the president was seething and anxious about the vote, which was approved by some of his former allies, sources said.
Sources told ABC News that Trump watched the impeachment proceedings on television and grew angry as he witnessed former supporters, including House GOP leaders Liz Cheney and Kevin McCarthy, support the charge of “incitement of insurrection” or blame the president directly for the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
A total of 10 Republicans voted for Trump’s impeachment. Republicans stood with him unequivocally during his first impeachment trial, which eventually led to an acquittal.
Trump did not mention the impeachment in the Wednesday video, but he did denounce the uprising that led to a Capitol lockdown, destruction and the deaths of five people, including a Capitol police officer. Since then, several people have been arrested on federal charges, and one Georgia man charged in the insurgency committed suicide.
With waning support, the president is said to be feeling “anxious” about his life after he leaves the White House. Earlier this week, New York City severed major contracts with the Trump Organization and a growing list of high-profile Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell denounced the president for inciting his supporters.
The president’s top aides met with him this week to discuss his options, including a possible resignation. That option was reportedly taken off the table, since Trump, according to the sources, does not have confidence that Vice President Mike Pence will grant him a pardon. Trump also has concerns about the Senate trial, and reportedly suggested that he testify on his own behalf. His aides reportedly discouraged that notion.
The possibility of a trial and final decision being made on the impeachment by the Senate has a slim window, with the soonest possibility of a trial start being Tuesday. That is the day before Trump’s last day in the White House.
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