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Central Oregonians react to Trump impeachment

(Update: Adding video, comments)

'A kick in the butt on the way out the door'

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Impeached not once, but twice.

Just a week before he is set to leave office, President Donald Trump is now the first U.S. president to go through this process -- again.

Lance Hitson of Bend, one of several people who agreed to speak with us outside the Bend post office, said he finds the recent move by the House to impeach President Trump "two-faced."

"It's a kick in the butt on the way out the door," Hitson said. "I think it's pretty hypocritical for all these politicians to be so outraged at the violence at the Capitol when we saw it all summer long from the other side."

But those on the other side of the aisle said they believe this should have come sooner.

Andrew G. who is for impeaching President Trump, said he never acted "presidential."

"He should've been impeached awhile ago," Andrew G. said.

But with just a week left in his presidency, could it be a waste of time?

One man we spoke with, who declined to give his name, said he doesn't think so.

"I don't think it's a waste of time, because I think there's a symbolic and materialistic aspect to it," he said.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says even if the Senate process were to begin this week and move promptly, no final verdict would be reached until after President Trump leaves office.

Scott S., who we ran into from Boise, Idaho said he regularly does business in Bend and travels throughout the Pacific Northwest.

He said he voted for Trump, but he's upset with both sides, saying the country's primary issue lies within our politicians.

"The people I meet on a daily basis, doesn't matter their skin color, they're all good people," Scott S. said. "The only problem is the example set by our politicians. It's a disgrace to America. They should all be embarrassed. I don't care if you're left or you're right. There's clowns to the left of me, and jokers to the right."

With just 10 House Republicans breaking ranks to back impeachment on Wednesday, a Senate conviction looks unlikely.

Scott S. added that he doesn't have faith in our government right now.

"I don't know how they can accomplish anything in Washington," he said. "They're a bunch of fumble bums."

Even if every Senate Democrat voted to convict Trump, 17 Republicans would have to join them to hit the needed two-thirds requirement.

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Alec Nolan

Alec Nolan is a multimedia journalist for NewsChannel 21. Learn more about Alec here.

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