US House Democrats to vote on Trump's impeachment on Wednesday
Jan 12, 2021
Washington [US], January 12 : US House Democrats plan to vote Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told Democrats on a caucus call on Monday (local time).
Hoyer said that the House will vote Tuesday evening on a resolution urging Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from power, and then plan to vote Wednesday at 9 am ET on the impeachment resolution, CNN reported.
Democrats formally introduced their impeachment resolution Monday, charging Trump with "incitement of insurrection" as they attempt to impeach him for the second time.
The single impeachment article, which was introduced when the House gaveled into a brief pro-forma session on Monday, points to Trump's repeated allegations that he won the election and his speech to the crowd on January 6 before the rioters breached the Capitol, according to CNN.
"He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States," said the resolution.
House Republicans blocked the move by Democrats to have Vice President Mike Pence invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, citing feedback from members, floated the possibility of "a resolution of censure under the rules of the House," as well as a bipartisan commission to investigate riots.
However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on the call with House Democrats Monday, called the idea of censuring Trump an "abdication" and made it clear it's not an option she's willing to consider, according to a person on the call, CNN reported.
Chaotic and violent scenes erupted at the Capitol on Wednesday as supporters of Trump stormed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and confrontations with the police.
Wednesday's violence came hours after Trump encouraged his supporters to fight against the election results as Congress was certifying Biden's victory in the November vote.
