Trump’s GOP allies huddle at White House on eve of impeachment vote

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and one of the president’s top attack dogs during the impeachment probe, was one of the lawmakers in attendance at the White House the day before the impeachment vote, according to a GOP source with knowledge of the discussions.

Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Johnson (R-La.), who previously practiced constitutional law, and Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), whom Trump tapped earlier this year to become the director of national intelligence before the congressman withdrew from consideration, were also in attendance, the source said.

In addition to the three members who attended the meeting at the White House, Rep. Doug Collins (Ga.) — the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee — is also said to be on the short list of House Republicans being considered to play a role on the president’s defense team as the impeachment process moves to the Senate for trial, according to one source.

“There is some discussion about who would be the best to assist in that regard, and I think it is pretty widely understood that the president wants to include a few House members on his defense team,” the source said.

The president is looking to have a combination of lawyers and three to four of his allies from the House on his defense team, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) said on the House Freedom Caucus’s podcast last week.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday evening, but officials have been meeting in recent days to finalize plans for Trump’s defense in a looming Senate trial.

Multiple officials have said White House counsel Pat Cipollone will play a significant role in the proceedings, but cautioned that a complete breakdown of responsibilities was not yet settled.

No final announcements on decisions on what the president’s defense team will look like have been made.

What role, if any, Trump’s House allies will play in a Senate trial may be partly determined by the rules determined by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

McConnell said Tuesday that negotiations would begin this week. Some Republican senators have said they favor a short process to quickly acquit Trump.

Tuesday’s meeting came a day before the House is scheduled to vote on two articles of impeachment against Trump: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Nearly all House Democrats are expected to vote for both articles, making it all but inevitable that Trump will become the third U.S. president to be impeached.

House Republicans are expected to remain completely unified in voting against the articles.

Olivia Beavers contributed.