Flashback: These GOP senators suggested Trump could be criminally prosecuted after Jan. 6

Although many Republicans have decried the criminal prosecutions against former President Donald Trump for his plans to illegally remain in power after losing the 2020 election, there was a time when many suggested he could be criminally prosecuted.

And these senators weren't just longtime Trump critics such as Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) or Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) -- rather, they were senators who voted to acquit Trump at his second impeachment trial.

As documented by anti-Trump conservative Christian Vanderbrouk on Twitter, several Republicans justified their votes to acquit Trump by saying that the criminal justice system was the proper place to determine what accountability he should face for his actions.

"The 6 Jan attack on the Capitol was far more dangerous than most realize," wrote Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) shortly before he voted to acquit Trump in February 2021. "And we have a criminal justice system in place to address it."

ALSO READ: Five unresolved questions surrounding the Jan. 6 attack

In a statement after the official vote to acquit, Rubio also said, "let history, and if necessary the courts, judge the events of the past."

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) also said that an impeachment trial was not the best way to hold Trump accountable, as "the ultimate accountability is through our criminal justice system... no president is above the law or immune from criminal prosecution, and that includes former President Trump."

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) echoed Tillis' comments and argued that "given that the Constitution makes legal offenses committed while in office subject to investigation and prosecution as warranted, after a President is no longer in office, I believe that is the Constitutional method of accountability."

And even Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), who resides in a deep red state, argued that "private citizens are subject to accountability for their actions under our legal justice system."

Crapo went on to argue that "the violent, despicable acts of January 6th have shaken our republic to its core and must not go unpunished."

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