In response to questions about whether the trial is even constitutional, he pointed to legal scholars who say it is, before saying the more important question is what the position of the GOP is regarding Trump and “what he did to our country.”

“Anything other than a strong vote of conviction by Republicans is going to be viewed, rightly so, as condoning Trump,” he added.

Woodruff noted what many Republican senators have said dismissing the trial thus far. Danforth said they’re just “looking for some reason to duck the vote” and avoid condemning the former president.

“I don’t think we can afford to do that anymore,” Danforth said, asking if Trump will be defining the GOP for the foreseeable future.