Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader reportedly opposes impeaching Trump, likening it to a ‘lynching’

• Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader told colleagues on Friday that he is against impeaching President Donald Trump after the Capitol siege, according to multiple reports. 
• Schrader likened impeaching Trump to a “lynching,” and said it would divide the nation, according to ABC News and CBS News.
• The Oregon lawmaker faced criticism online, particularly given that pro-Trump rioters hung a noose outside the Capitol on Wednesday. 
• Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Rep. Kurt Schrader of Oregon told fellow Democrats on a phone call Friday that he opposes the rapid push to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol siege, likening it to a “lynching,” according to what sources on the call told reporters at ABC News.

“Without due process we are no better than Republicans,” Schrader reportedly said, contending that it would divide the nation to rush toward impeachment. Schrader’s remarks on impeachment were also separately reported by CBS News.

Schrader’s reported comments go against the sentiments of many of his Democratic colleagues in both chambers – including the leaders of the party, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – who’ve called for Trump to be removed either via the 25th Amendment or impeachment. They also sparked anger online, particularly given that a noose was hung from a makeshift gallow near the Capitol during the attempted coup provoked by Trump on Wednesday. 

—Alex Kotch (@alexkotch) January 8, 2021

—Kai Newkirk (@kai_newkirk) January 8, 2021

—Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) January 8, 2021

As of Friday, the Oregon lawmaker seems to be the only Democrat who’s expressed opposition to impeaching Trump over the Capitol siege. 

Though Schrader appears to be opposed to the current move to oust Trump, he voted in favor of impeaching the president in December 2019, which was related to the president’s dealings with Ukraine.

 Schrader’s office did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.