Senate Majority Whip John Thune
John Randolph ThuneImpeachment trial tests Trump's grip on Senate GOP For platform regulation Congress should use a European cheat sheet Streamlining the process of prior authorization for medical and surgical procedures MORE (R-S.D.) on Tuesday said it was "inappropriate" for President Trump
Donald TrumpGiuliani used provisional ballot to vote in 2020 election, same method he disparaged in fighting to overturn results Trump gets lowest job approval rating in final days as president Fox News' DC managing editor Bill Sammon to retire MORE to compare the House impeachment inquiry to lynching.
John Randolph ThuneImpeachment trial tests Trump's grip on Senate GOP For platform regulation Congress should use a European cheat sheet Streamlining the process of prior authorization for medical and surgical procedures MORE (R-S.D.) on Tuesday said it was "inappropriate" for President TrumpDonald TrumpGiuliani used provisional ballot to vote in 2020 election, same method he disparaged in fighting to overturn results Trump gets lowest job approval rating in final days as president Fox News' DC managing editor Bill Sammon to retire MORE to compare the House impeachment inquiry to lynching. "That's not appropriate in any context," he added. "It's just inappropriate."
Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, is the latest lawmaker to push back against the president, after he made the comparison in a tweet on Tuesday.
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Trump wrote that Republicans should recognize that they are "witnessing" a lynching in the form of impeachment.
"So some day, if a Democrat becomes President and the Republicans win the House, even by a tiny margin, they can impeach the President, without due process or fairness or any legal rights," Trump tweeted. "All Republicans must remember what they are witnessing here — a lynching. But we will WIN!"
Democrats are wading deeper into an impeachment inquiry focused on Trump asking Ukraine to investigate the Bidens, and whether or not the administration held up aid in an effort to pressure the country.
The tweet sparked near immediate backlash from House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn
James (Jim) Enos ClyburnPelosi mum on when House will send impeachment article to Senate Biden to name Jaime Harrison to lead the Democratic National Committee: report Republicans gauge support for Trump impeachment MORE (D-S.C.), one of the most influential black lawmakers in Congress, and other lawmakers.
James (Jim) Enos ClyburnPelosi mum on when House will send impeachment article to Senate Biden to name Jaime Harrison to lead the Democratic National Committee: report Republicans gauge support for Trump impeachment MORE (D-S.C.), one of the most influential black lawmakers in Congress, and other lawmakers. 
Kevin McCarthyHouse GOP lawmaker: Trump 'put all of our lives at risk' Sasse, in fiery op-ed, says QAnon is destroying GOP Democrats seize on GOP donor fallout MORE (R-Calif.) told reporters on Tuesday that "I don't agree with that language." Thune is the highest ranking Senate Republican to push back against the president's remarks.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellWhat would MLK say about Trump and the Republican Party? Biden's minimum wage push faces uphill battle with GOP GOP senators wrestle with purging Trump from party MORE did not comment as he walked from the Senate floor to his office when asked by reporters about Trump's tweet.
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellWhat would MLK say about Trump and the Republican Party? Biden's minimum wage push faces uphill battle with GOP GOP senators wrestle with purging Trump from party MORE did not comment as he walked from the Senate floor to his office when asked by reporters about Trump's tweet. Sen. John Cornyn
John CornynHarris to resign from Senate seat on Monday Cruz, Cornyn to attend Biden inauguration McConnell about to school Trump on political power for the last time MORE (R-Texas), an adviser to McConnell, said "some people" would find Trump's comparison offensive.
John CornynHarris to resign from Senate seat on Monday Cruz, Cornyn to attend Biden inauguration McConnell about to school Trump on political power for the last time MORE (R-Texas), an adviser to McConnell, said "some people" would find Trump's comparison offensive. "Well I remember when Clarence Thomas
Clarence ThomasTrump eyes lawyer who spoke at rally to help in impeachment trial: report Biden's identity politics do a disservice to his nominees For conservative justices, faith in 'religious freedom' trumps public health MORE called his confirmation hearing a high-tech lynching. Obviously that's hyperbole, and some people might find it offensive," Cornyn said. Asked if he was one of the people who would find it offensive, he added: "Listen I've got a pretty high threshold when it comes to being offended around here or I would be offended all day every day."
