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In several media interviews, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse declined to say whether he would support limiting the powers of President Trump in the last days of his presidency. He said he would review any proposal that would come from the House of Representatives.
While not responding to NET News requests for an interview, Sasse did have a lot to say to national audiences.
During an interview on NPR’s Morning Edition, Sasse reflected on the nation’s political health following the assault on the US Capitol by extremists bent on disrupting the electoral process on behalf of Donald Trump, likely contributing to the death a police officer.
Sasse: Well, we’re not we’re not very healthy right now. But I want us to be sure we focus on the fact that we’re going to get healthy again. But obviously, Americans are angry right now.
When host Steve Inskeep asked Sasse if the would support invoking the 25thAmendment, stripping the President of his powers, the Nebraska Republican did not respond to the question.
Sasse: Yeah, I think that the the less the President does over the next 12 days, the better. You mentioned, delegating responsibilities during this period, that to the Vice President, in the midst of all of the pain and ugliness of the President. It is worth us pausing and affirming the fact that Mike Pence acted as a patriot through this.
Appearing on the CBS Morning show, host Gayle King pressed Sasse on whether it was important to limit President Trump’s authority during his final days in power.
Sasse: I disagree with you that the most important question is inside the next 12 days. The most important question is what happens to America after the next 12 days and not just 12 weeks in 12 months from now, but 12 years from now. And so the house if they come together and have a process, I will definitely consider whatever articles they might move, because as I've told you, I believe that the President has disregarded his oath of office.
Speaking to nationally syndicated conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Sasse would not say whether he would support impeachment.
(Sasse) I think Donald Trump wanted there to be massive division. And he was telling people there was a path by which he was going to stay in office after January 20. That was never true. And he wanted chaos on television. I don't have any idea what's what was in his heart about what he wanted to happen once they were in the Capitol. But he wanted there to be chaos. And I'm sure you've also had conversations with other senior White House officials, as I have. As this was unfolding on television, Donald Trump was walking around the White House confused about why other people on his team weren't as excited as he was, as you had rioters pushing against Capitol Police trying to get into the building. He was delighted.
(Hewitt) That said, should he be impeached and removed?
(Sasse) I think that there are a lot of questions that we need to get to the bottom of about why the National Guard was not deployed. Why was it delayed?
Sasse did say he would push for an investigation into why the administration appeared slow to deploy National Guard forces to protect the Capitol the day it came under attack.