The impeachment trap: Endangered Senate Republicans face peril whether they support Trump or not

Senate Republicans vulnerable to a Democratic challenge this year are facing a kind of political Catch-22 as the impeachment trial looms: Voting against President Trump risks the wrath of GOP primary voters, but voting for him ensures renomination but could cost them their careers in November.

Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado, and Martha McSally of Arizona are under the most pressure, and not just on whether to acquit or convict Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate will vote on whether to call witnesses at trial, another political minefield.

Senate Democrats want testimony from people who could impugn Trump, such as former White House national security adviser John Bolton. Many Republicans, in response, want to subpoena Hunter Biden, son of leading Democratic contender Joe Biden. These and other decisions, amounting to a litmus test on support or opposition to Trump, are fraught with peril for Collins, Gardner, and McSally.

Republicans in their states are fiercely loyal to Trump and would not brook dissent. It could be the exact opposite with the broader electorate. Democrats swept Maine in 2018, leaving Collins as the only Republican elected to major office. Colorado is practically a blue state at this point, and Arizona, dominated by suburban voters, is drifting from the GOP orbit.