A GOP backlash across the nation against House Republicans who supported impeachment of former President Donald Trump continues, with Michigan’s most senior Rep. Fred Upton the latest to be censured for his stance.
The Allegan County Republican Party rebuked the veteran lawmaker during a meeting last Thursday, complaining there was "little debate" and lack of due process in the impeachment process, the Detroit News reported.
"We believe Congressman Upton's vote is a betrayal of his oath of office and the core values of the Allegan County Republican Party," the Allegan GOP’s executive committee stated in the censure resolution.
"We believe this vote ignored the voice of the voters in Allegan County and was against their interest."
The news outlet noted the county is largely rural and one of the more conservative in southwest Michigan, which Upton has represented since 1987. The committee referred its resolution to another party panel to "investigate any further action that may be available."
Upton defended his vote.
"Congress should not tolerate any effort to impede the peaceful transfer of power,” he said in a statement, the news outlet reported. “I’ve gone to bat for southwest Michigan everyday I’ve been in Congress, bringing jobs, economic growth and opportunities to our region of the state. And that is exactly what I’m going to keep doing.”
Upton was among 10 House Republicans who joined with Democrats in voting for the article of impeachment charging Trump with “incitement of insurrection” for his part in a deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6.
Others who voted for impeachment and are facing or have already been censured by local party entities, include Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., No. 3 in House GOP leadership, the news outlet reported. The Arizona GOP on Saturday censured three top Republicans because they resisted Trump's efforts to overturn his defeat: Gov. Doug Ducey, former Sen. Jeff Flake, and Cindy McCain, the widow of Sen. John McCain.