House GOP leadership not advising caucus to vote a certain way on Trump impeachment, source says

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise have not advised their members to vote a certain way on the article of impeachment that lawmakers are voting on Wednesday, Just the News has learned.

A senior GOP congressional aide told Just the News that the House Republican leadership is "not whipping" the impeachment vote that's scheduled to take place early evening on Wednesday. 

McCarthy said on the House floor that a vote to impeach Trump one week before Democrat Joe Biden takes office would "further divide this nation" and "further fan the flames of partisan division." 

"I believe impeaching the president in such a short timeframe would be a mistake," McCarthy said on Wednesday. "No investigations have been completed. No hearings have been held. What’s more, the Senate has confirmed that no trial will begin until after President-elect Biden is sworn in."

The California Republican personally supports a "censure resolution" rather than impeachment but said Trump isn't free from fault for the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol Building by Trump supporters and others.

"The president bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding," he said. "These facts require immediate actions by President Trump. Accept his share of responsibility. Quell the brewing unrest."