Politics

'My conscience is clear' — GOP Sen. Rick Scott on opposing Trump impeachment and removal

Key Points
  • Sen. Rick Scott says he has little doubt President Trump will stay in office for the remainder of his term despite impeachment proceedings.
  • The Florida Republican, a key Trump ally, says much of the Democrats' arguments stem from "hearsay" and falsities.
  • "The bottom line is, this is an impeachment trial and you have to think of it that way," Scott says. "My conscience is clear."
Sen. Rick Scott: 'My conscious is clear' about voting against impeachment
VIDEO2:5902:59
Sen. Rick Scott: 'My conscious is clear' about voting against impeachment

Republican Sen.Rick Scott told CNBC on Wednesday that he has little doubt President Donald Trump will stay in office for the remainder of his term despite ongoing impeachment proceedings.

The Democratic-controlled House is expected to vote Wednesday to approve two articles of impeachment, which would then be passed along to the Senate for a trial in the new year.

The articles accuse the president of abuse of power for asking Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden while withholding aid as leverage, and with obstruction of Congress for stonewalling the House investigation.

But Scott, a key ally of Trump, that said much of the Democrats' arguments stem from "hearsay" and falsities.

The Florida senator said that it's not a matter of opinion, and argued that Democrats need to remember Trump is being charged with high crimes and misdemeanors, which he doesn't believe Trump committed.

"The bottom line is, this is an impeachment trial and you have to think of it that way," Scott said on "Squawk Box." "My conscience is clear."

The president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. On Tuesday, Trump sent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a raging, six-page letter that called the impeachment process an "illegal, partisan attempted coup."

Watch CNBC's full interview with Sen. Rick Scott on impeachment and 2020
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Watch CNBC's full interview with Sen. Rick Scott on impeachment and 2020

Scott on Wednesday echoed similar sentiments as he called the move solely a partisan fight.

The Republican-held Senate is unlikely to vote to remove Trump.

However, Scott added that the conflict, along with a strong economy, will likely help Trump's efforts to be reelected to a second term in 2020.

Sen. Mike Braun, shortly after Scott's interview, told CNBC that the impeachment proceedings will help Republicans and some independents carry over their anger into the presidential election next year.

"That has teed off a lot of people," the Indiana Republican said. "I think the ballot box will show that in 2020."

GOP Sen. Mike Braun on US-China trade and Trump impeachment
VIDEO8:2908:29
GOP Sen. Mike Braun on US-China trade and Trump impeachment