Former White House press secretary Joe Lockhart said Wednesday the difference between the impeachment of 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 and President Clinton is that Republicans aren't taking the current process seriously.

Lockhart, who worked for Clinton and is now a CNN contributor, criticized Republicans on CNN for not taking impeachment seriously and for making up conspiracy theories.

“You know, the biggest difference between this time and last time is in 1998, Democrats and Republicans equally took this process seriously," Lockhart said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This time the Democrats are using evidence and facts, the Republicans are making up conspiracy theories, and the fact that no one is going to vote on something so much more consequential than what we’re talking about in ‘98 shows they’re not a serious party any longer," he said. "And they don’t, they don't view the Constitution — excuse me, the rule of law, the way they used to."

Lockhart, who served as Clinton's press secretary from 1998 to 2000, has been a staunch critic of Trump throughout his presidency.

On Tuesday, he admonished Trump for a scathing letter the president sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act Sunday shows preview: Lawmakers prepare for SCOTUS confirmation hearings before election Will Democrats attempt to pack the Supreme Court again? MORE (D-Calif.). Trump wrote that Pelosi was declaring "open war on American democracy" with impeachment.

He also alleged without evidence that Trump's anger was only prompted by financial ties to Russia.

"Forget @realDonaldTrump stupid letter," Lockhart wrote on Twitter. "Concentrate on the Russian money. That's why he's freaking out."

Forget @realDonaldTrump stupid letter. Concentrate on the Russian money. That’s why he’s freaking out — Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) December 17, 2019

Former special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's report did not find evidence that Trump and his campaign associates conspired or coordinated with Russia leading up to the 2016 election, though it did find that Russia interfered in the election.