Cohen, Kustoff illustrate wider partisan divide
Representatives’ reactions to Trump acquittal were expected
One of Shelby County’s congressmen didn’t attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union this week. The other is condemning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for ripping up the president’s speech after he finished.
In U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen, D-memphis, and David Kustoff, R-germantown, the partisan divide over President Donald Trump is as apparent as it is anywhere.
After the speech, Pelosi ripped up Trump’s address. And that prompted Kustoff to weigh in on Twitter Thursday.
“Speaker Pelosi’s actions at the #SOTU were disgraceful and deeply disrespectful to the American heroes honored in @realdonaldtrump’s address. That is why I supported @Repkaygranger’s resolution to condemn the Speaker’s shameful behavior. Her action’s must be held accountable,” Kustoff said.
U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-texas, introduced the resolution on Wednesday. Kustoff ’s response to it fits the pattern of his responses to the extraordinary events unfolding in Washington. While Cohen has sought to remove the president from office for years, Kustoff, whose district includes parts of 13 counties besides Shelby, has stood by Trump, like nearly all Republicans.
Cohen used a similar tone to describe why he was skipping the State of the Union.
“I will not be a witness to puffery and prevarication flowing while our Constitution and our laws are
disrespectfully and dangerously flouted. While I will always respect the office of the President, its current inhabitant demonstrates daily that he does not,” Cohen said.
When the U.S. Senate voted to acquit the president and end his impeachment trial Wednesday, Kustoff tweeted, “I commend the Senate for acquitting@realdonaldtrump today and putting an end to this partisan endeavor. The fact is, President Trump did nothing wrong, and today’s acquittal proves just that.”
Cohen, on the other hand, though he has said conviction was unlikely for months, expressed disappointment and said voters should focus on removing Trump in November.
“His ignominious impeachment will always be the legacy of his reckless and lawless presidency,” Cohen said.
“A bipartisan majority of Congress has voted to impeach or convict him, and that’s a blemish on his record that the American public should consider in evaluating his remaining time in office.”