Senator-Designate Kelly Loeffler Of Georgia Plans ‘No’ Vote On Removing Trump

Republican businesswoman Kelly Loeffler, who will soon be Georgia’s next U.S. senator, speaks to reporters at the Port of Savannah on Thursday. Loeffler is scheduled to be sworn in when the Senate convenes Monday in Washington. She was chosen by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill the seat of GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson, who left office at the end of 2019 because of health problems.

Russ Bynum / Associated Press

The Republican businesswoman who will soon become Georgia’s newest U.S. senator said Thursday she plans to vote against removing President Donald Trump from office.

Kelly Loeffler is scheduled to be sworn in when the Senate convenes Monday in Washington. Her first vote she casts as a senator could come at the conclusion of Trump’s impeachment trial on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump is expected to be acquitted by the GOP-controlled Senate , where a two-thirds vote is necessary for conviction.

On social media and in a recent newspaper op-ed column, Loeffler has criticized impeachment proceedings in the Democrat-controlled House as a “sham,” a “sideshow” and a “distraction.” Speaking to reporters Thursday after a tour of the Port of Savannah, she confirmed that she intends to vote “No” on removing Trump from office.