House Republican: ‘There is very little likelihood that the president will be removed’

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) criticized the House impeachment inquiry into President Trump in an interview that aired Sunday, saying that “there is very little likelihood that the president will be removed.”

“The best thing for the public to do is read the transcript. It’s the closest thing we have to a record, and you make a judgment as to whether or not you think what happened there is worth putting the country through an incredibly divisive experience,” Cole said on “Meet the Press,” referring to a rough transcript released by the White House of a phone call between Trump and Ukraine’s president.  

“We know how this story is going to end,” Cole added. “There is very little likelihood that the president will be removed.”

“We’ve made a political decision to put everything on hold, divide the country for an outcome that we know,” the Republican continued. 

WATCH: @TomColeOK04 on President Trump’s impeachment inquiry: “We know how this story is going to end.” #MTP #IfItsSunday

“There is very little likelihood that the president will be removed.” pic.twitter.com/wRn8PLCGfC

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) November 3, 2019

{mosads}Republicans have criticized the impeachment inquiry into the president’s dealings with Ukraine as preventing the legislature from other accomplishments. Democrats have responded by pointing out bills the House has passed that have not been taken up by the Senate.

If Trump is impeached, two-thirds of the Senate would need to vote in favor of his removal for him to be kicked out of office. Republicans currently hold a 53-45 majority in the Senate, although its two Independent members typically caucus with Democrats.