(DCWatchdog.com) – Appearing on ABC-TV’s “This Week” Sunday talk show, United States Representative Tom Rice, a South Carolina Republican, said the only way he could potentially vote for former President Donald J. Trump to be President of the United States of America again is if Trump apologizes for his involvement in the protest that took place at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.
As recounted and transcribed by The Hill publication:
“‘There’s no way you can support [Trump] again?’ co-host Jonathan Karl asked Rice, one of the 10 Republican lawmakers who voted to impeach the former president for his role in the insurrection, on ABC’s “This Week.”
“‘No, there’s one way … if he apologized,’ Rice told Karl.
“‘So if he came out and said, ‘I’m sorry,’ I mean, all that goes out?’ Karl asked Rice.
“‘If he came out and said, ‘I’m sorry that I made a huge mistake on Jan. 6.’ Then I might consider it,’ Rice said.” [emphasis added]
Rice also argued that his vote to impeach Trump was the “conservative vote.”
From The Hill’s transcription of the interview:
“‘And absolutely defending the Constitution is a bedrock of the Republican platform, right? Defend the Constitution and that’s what I did,’ Rice told Karl. ‘That was the conservative vote.’
“‘Impeachment was the conservative vote?’ Karl asked Rice.
“‘Absolutely, it was the conservative vote,’ Rice replied. ‘There’s no question in my mind.’” [emphasis added]
What is your opinion about United States Representative Tom Rice, a South Carolina Republican, arguing that his vote to impeach Donald Trump for Trump’s involvement in the January 6, 2021, protest at the United States Capitol was the “conservative vote”? Do you believe Trump owes Republicans an apology, as Rice argues Trump must do to have a chance of being re-elected? Please share your thoughts by emailing [email protected]. Thank you.
GOP lawmaker says he would support Trump again if he apologizes for Jan. 6 attack https://t.co/hWBgwvKyWW pic.twitter.com/F7HwIn10qM
— The Hill (@thehill) June 5, 2022
