Support for Trump's Impeachment Surges Among Vulnerable Democrats Ahead of House Floor Vote

The fierce televised debates in the House Judiciary Committee that played out in recent days over the consideration—and ultimate passage—of impeachment articles prompted several previously undecided swing district Democrats to declare their support for impeaching President Donald Trump.

The uptick in endorsements for the president's removal among vulnerable Democratic lawmakers is an indication there will likely be additional ones who follow suit, which would further dwindle the number of potential defectors who will break from party ranks to join their Republican colleagues in voting against impeachment. Since Wednesday, at least half a dozen of the most at-risk members of losing their seats, known as Frontline Democrats, said the president should be impeached.

And the decision by certain Democrats to support the articles—like Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.) and Judiciary members Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) and Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.)—is an optimistic sign for the party's unity, one Democratic aide highlighted to Newsweek, who predicted anywhere from 2-6 members will ultimately not back impeachment.

Two articles—abuse of power and obstruction of Congress—were passed Friday by the House Judiciary Committee along party lines following a dramatic delay, teeing up a floor vote for sometime next week. But it remains to be seen exactly how many Democrats will oppose the impeachment of Trump—not whether the articles will pass.

It is expected that the same two moderate Democrats who failed to back the chamber's impeachment inquiry will do so again for the final passage of the articles: Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey and Collin Peterson of Minnesota. Van Drew, a freshman who flipped a Trump district, and Peterson, currently serving his 15th term, have both spoken about the divisiveness of the process and lack of impeachable conduct on behalf of the president.

Van Drew plans to switch parties to become a Republican, a senior Democratic aide confirmed to Newsweek Saturday afternoon, which was first reported by The Washington Post. An internal poll of likely voters in his district conducted by his campaign from December 7-10 found that just 24 percent of people believe he deserves to be re-elected and only 28 percent think he should be re-nominated in the primary. Meanwhile, roughly 60 percent said another Democrat should take his place.

The advancement of the articles out of the committee on Friday led to statements of support from several vulnerable members: Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Max Rose (D-N.Y.), Colin Allred (D-Texas) and Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.). Lee, Rose, Allred, Lamb, McBath and O'Halleran are all Frontline Democrats.

Despite Lee's stance, she reportedly attended the White House's annual Congressional Ball Thursday evening at the same time her Democratic colleagues on the Judiciary Committee were debating impeachment articles against Trump.

"We have lived in relative peace on our soil for over two centuries in the strongest democracy on earth," Lee, a first-term lawmaker, wrote in a statement. "It is my constitutional duty to ensure that it remains that way."

Rose, an Army combat veteran and freshman who flipped a Trump district last year, said his decision was because "[p]arty and politics will never come before the country I bled to protect—and would unquestionably do so again."

Due to Trump having "served his personal interests, but not our national security interests," Lamb said in a statement Thursday, "I will vote for impeachment."

McBath announced her pro-impeachment stance Wednesday evening when members of the Judiciary Committee offered opening remarks before embarking Thursday on a marathon day of debate. The Washington newcomer spoke at length about her son, Jordan Davis, who in 2012 was shot and killed at a Florida gas station after being confronted by a man for being in a car that was playing loud music. Davis was 17 when he was killed by Michael Dunn, who is serving life in prison without parole for first-degree murder.

"I dreamed of who Jordan would become. I dreamed of watching him walk across the stage at his high school graduation, full of love and hope for the future," McBath said. "I dreamed of him carrying on our family's legacy of public service."

This story was updated to include information about Rep. Jeff Van Drew's plan to switch parties.