Democrats push for second Trump impeachment after mayhem at US Capitol
- Democratic leaders called for immediate impeachment proceedings if Pence refused to take steps to remove the president from power
- With less than two weeks left in Trump’s term, it was not clear whether enough time remained to complete the process
“The president’s dangerous and seditious acts necessitate his immediate removal from office,” they said in a statement on Thursday evening, accusing Trump of inciting an “insurrection.”
‘It should scare them’: Trump fans remain defiant after Capitol siege
Trump’s words were in stark contrast to his speech on Wednesday, when he exhorted a crowd of thousands to descend on the Capitol as Congress met to certify Biden’s election victory.
Protesters stormed the building, overwhelming police and forcing authorities to transport lawmakers to secure locations for their own safety.
The FBI offered a reward of up to US$50,000 for information on people responsible for placing pipe bombs in the headquarters of the two main US political parties. The agency released a picture of a suspect wearing gloves and a hoodie, carrying an object.
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With less than two weeks left in Trump’s term, it was not clear whether enough time remained to complete the impeachment process.
Pelosi has not announced a decision, though she made clear at a news conference that rank-and-file Democrats in her caucus wanted action following Wednesday’s siege.
US Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark said Democrats could move forward with impeachment proceedings against Trump as early as next week.
“Donald Trump needs to be removed from office and we are going to proceed with every tool that we have to make sure that happens to protect our democracy,” Clark told CNN.
If impeached in the House, Trump would theoretically face trial in the Republican-controlled Senate, which is expected to be in recess until January 19. Aides to Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, have not said what he would do if the House approved articles of impeachment.
Trump posts video acknowledging defeat after US Capitol siege
In Thursday’s video, a flat-toned Trump struck a conciliatory note seldom seen from him during his presidency, calling for “healing.” As recently as Thursday morning, however, Trump was still claiming the election had been stolen, and he stopped short of acknowledging his loss.
Since November, Trump has baselessly denounced the election results as “rigged” due to widespread fraud.
The Trump campaign and its allies filed dozens of lawsuits challenging the vote counts but almost all were rejected in state and federal courts. Election officials have said there is no evidence to back Trump’s claims.
At least two Republicans, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and US Representative Adam Kinzinger, said Trump must go. The Wall Street Journal editorial page, seen as a leading voice of the Republican establishment, on Thursday evening called on Trump to resign.
Several high-ranking Trump administration officials have resigned in protest over the invasion of the Capitol, including two Cabinet members: Elaine Chao, the transport secretary and McConnell’s wife, and Betsy DeVos, the education secretary.
At a news conference to introduce his pick for attorney general, Biden blamed Trump for instigating the attack but did not comment on his possible removal.
Congress certified Biden’s election victory early on Thursday, after authorities cleared the Capitol. More than half of House Republicans and eight Republican senators voted to challenge some states’ election results, backing Trump.
The president has isolated himself among a small circle of diehard advisers and lashed out at those he perceives as disloyal, including Pence – whom Trump wanted to try to block Congress from certifying Biden’s win – according to sources.