Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tulsi GabbardRepublicans call on DOJ to investigate Netflix over 'Cuties' film Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Gabbard says she 'was not invited to participate in any way' in Democratic convention MORE (D-Hawaii), a 2020 presidential candidate, elaborated on her rationale for voting "present" on articles of impeachment against President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE, telling ABC News impeachment proceedings will only "embolden" the president.

"I think impeachment, unfortunately, will only further embolden Donald Trump, increase his support and the likelihood that he'll have a better shot at getting elected while also seeing the likelihood that the House will lose a lot of seats to Republicans," Gabbard told ABC in New Hampshire on Saturday.

Gabbard, who has announced she will not seek reelection to her House seat, said she was concerned Trump’s all but inevitable acquittal in the Republican Senate could ensure “lasting damage” in the event Trump is reelected and the GOP regains control of the House.

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Gabbard was the only Democrat to vote “present” on the articles. Rep. Collin Peterson Collin Clark PetersonKate Schroder in Ohio among Democratic challengers squelching GOP hopes for the House The Hill's Campaign Report: 19 years since 9/11 | Dem rival to Marjorie Taylor Greene drops out | Collin Peterson faces fight of his career | Court delivers blow to ex-felon voting rights in Florida Peterson faces fight of his career in deep-red Minnesota district MORE (D-Minn.) voted no, while Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-N.J.), who also voted against them, made his plans to switch parties from Democratic to Republican official a day later.

Gabbard has previously talked about her intention to introduce a resolution censuring the president.

Immediately after the vote, she blasted the "zero sum mindset" of both parties, saying, "I am standing in the center and have decided to vote present, because I could not in good conscience vote against impeachment because I believe President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing."

In her remarks to ABC, she defended her vote as prioritizing principle over political expediency. “Thinking about what's politically advantageous, whether for me or for my party, does not enter into my mind around these decisions that have really great consequence,” she told the outlet.