This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/13/donald-trump-impeachment-nancy-pelosi-joe-biden-mike-pence-congress-covid-coronavirus-live-updates

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Pelosi calls Trump ‘a clear and present danger’ as impeachment vote nears – live Trump impeachment: six House Republicans indicate they will vote in support – live
(32 minutes later)
The House speaker kicked off the two hours of debate on the article of impeachment by saying Donald Trump ‘must go’ Washington Republican Dan Newhouse joins other in his party supporting impeachment, saying Trump ‘inflamed a violent mob’
The statement from the president, which calls for “no violence,” comes a week after Donald Trump incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol, resulting in five deaths.
The president has consistently denied responsibility for inciting the riot, despite telling a group of his supporters to march to the Capitol moments before the building was breached.
Trump claimed yesterday that his words were “totally appropriate,” even though they have been intensely criticized by members of both parties.
Donald Trump has put out a statement from the White House.
The statement includes: “In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO violence of any kind. He calls for folks to calm down.
The House of Representatives is on track to impeach Donald Trump this afternoon, so do stay tuned. It’s been a busy morning. Here are the main points so far:
Six Republican members of the House of Representatives have now indicated they will support the impeachment of Donald Trump. That will boost the overwhelming Democratic push for the action, with the official impeachment moment not long away.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s office has said there will be no impeachment trial before 19 January, when the chamber is currently set to return from recess.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi quoted Abraham Lincoln, saying, “We cannot escape history. We... will be remembered in spite of ourselves.” She said Trump must be removed from office. “He must go...he is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”
Steny Hoyer, the House majority leader, rejected Republicans’ arguments that a swift impeachment would only further divide the country. “There are consequences to actions, and the actions of president of the United States demand urgent, clear action by the Congress of the United States,” Hoyer said.
Washington state Republican Dan Newhouse just rose on the floor of the House and said he would support the historic impeachment today of Donald Trump.
In a strongly worded statement last night, Liz Cheney, a representative from Wyoming, the No. 3 Republican in the House, and the daughter of the former vice-president Dick Cheney, said that Trump had “summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack” during the Capitol riot on January 6.
“Everything that followed was his doing,” she said. “None of this would have happened without the president. I will vote to impeach the president.”
After setting the ball rolling by House GOP members, Cheney was joined last night by the Washington representative Jaime Herrera Beutler, the New York representative John Katko, the Illinois representative Adam Kinzinger, and representative Fred Upton, of Michigan, the Republicans who all said they would vote for impeachment.
Newhouse said there was “no excuse” for the president’s actions, when he encouraged hyper-loyal supporters to march on the US Capitol a week ago, egged on to attempt to overturn the results of the election by force.
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy is decrying the events of January 6 as “the worst day I’ve ever seen in Congress”.
McCarthy said:“The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding.”
But the California Republican is not in favor of impeaching Donald Trump. He’s arguing for a creating a fact-finding commission and an official censure of the president to suffice.
He repeated something that he reportedly told Trump directly - that, unlike what he points out “some say”, the violent mob that invaded the US Capitol last week was not driven by far left anti-fascist activists collectively known as “antifa”.
“There is no evidence of that,” McCarthy said.
He talked of pledging a smooth transition to the presidency of Joe Biden a week from today. Smattering of applause for McCarthy.
House Democrats have consistently denounced Donald Trump for inciting the Capitol riot during the debate on the article of impeachment.House Democrats have consistently denounced Donald Trump for inciting the Capitol riot during the debate on the article of impeachment.
Hakeem Jeffries, who served as an impeachment manager during the president’s first Senate trial, referred to Trump as “a living, breathing impeachable offense”.Hakeem Jeffries, who served as an impeachment manager during the president’s first Senate trial, referred to Trump as “a living, breathing impeachable offense”.
Moments later, Jamie Raskin, the Democrat who will serve as the lead impeachment manager this time around, also criticized Republicans who have tried to blame Democrats for the violence seen last week.Moments later, Jamie Raskin, the Democrat who will serve as the lead impeachment manager this time around, also criticized Republicans who have tried to blame Democrats for the violence seen last week.
“It is a bit much to be hearing that these people would not be trying to destroy our government and kill us if we just weren’t so mean to them,” Raskin said.“It is a bit much to be hearing that these people would not be trying to destroy our government and kill us if we just weren’t so mean to them,” Raskin said.
At least 20,000 National Guard troops may be deployed to help safeguard the nation’s capital ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration next week.At least 20,000 National Guard troops may be deployed to help safeguard the nation’s capital ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration next week.
“I think you can expect to see somewhere upwards beyond 20,000 members of the National Guard that will be here in the footprint of the District of Columbia,” acting DC police chief Robert Contee said at a news conference on Wednesday.“I think you can expect to see somewhere upwards beyond 20,000 members of the National Guard that will be here in the footprint of the District of Columbia,” acting DC police chief Robert Contee said at a news conference on Wednesday.
The announcement comes one week after a mob of Trump loyalists breached and vandalized the US capitol, where Biden will be inaugurated next Wednesday.The announcement comes one week after a mob of Trump loyalists breached and vandalized the US capitol, where Biden will be inaugurated next Wednesday.
Despite threats of potential violence on Inauguration Day, Biden has said he is “not afraid” to take the oath of office outside on the Capitol steps.Despite threats of potential violence on Inauguration Day, Biden has said he is “not afraid” to take the oath of office outside on the Capitol steps.
Cedric Richmond, the Democratic congressman who is leaving the House to join Joe Biden’s administration, delivered a fiery speech in support of Donald Trump’s impeachment.Cedric Richmond, the Democratic congressman who is leaving the House to join Joe Biden’s administration, delivered a fiery speech in support of Donald Trump’s impeachment.
The Louisiana Democrat noted that, during the president’s first impeachment, his party warned Trump would carry out more attacks on American democracy if he were not removed from office.The Louisiana Democrat noted that, during the president’s first impeachment, his party warned Trump would carry out more attacks on American democracy if he were not removed from office.
“Simply put, we told you so,” Richmond said. Nodding at his imminent departure from the House, he then added, “Richmond out.”“Simply put, we told you so,” Richmond said. Nodding at his imminent departure from the House, he then added, “Richmond out.”
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s office has said there will be no impeachment trial before 19 January, when the chamber is currently set to return from recess.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s office has said there will be no impeachment trial before 19 January, when the chamber is currently set to return from recess.
McConnell’s press secretary confirmed the Washington Post’s report on the timing on the trial.McConnell’s press secretary confirmed the Washington Post’s report on the timing on the trial.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had called for the chamber to return early to take up the impeachment of Donald Trump, but McConnell is apparently declining to do so.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had called for the chamber to return early to take up the impeachment of Donald Trump, but McConnell is apparently declining to do so.
The decision means that Trump’s impeachment trial will overlap with the first days of Joe Biden’s presidency.The decision means that Trump’s impeachment trial will overlap with the first days of Joe Biden’s presidency.
Adam Schiff, who served as the lead impeachment manager during Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, said the Capitol riot represented “the most dangerous moment for our democracy in a century.”Adam Schiff, who served as the lead impeachment manager during Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, said the Capitol riot represented “the most dangerous moment for our democracy in a century.”
“Today, we invoke the remedy the founders provided for just such a lawless president: impeachment,” Schiff said.“Today, we invoke the remedy the founders provided for just such a lawless president: impeachment,” Schiff said.
The California Democrat added, “More important, today we begin the long road to restoration. ... To preserve this sacred place, this citadel of democracy, for ourselves and for posterity, let us say enough. Enough.”The California Democrat added, “More important, today we begin the long road to restoration. ... To preserve this sacred place, this citadel of democracy, for ourselves and for posterity, let us say enough. Enough.”
Jim Jordan, one of the president’s congressional attack dogs, argued against the impeachment of Donald Trump for inciting a violent mob to attack the Capitol by condemning “cancel culture”.Jim Jordan, one of the president’s congressional attack dogs, argued against the impeachment of Donald Trump for inciting a violent mob to attack the Capitol by condemning “cancel culture”.
“We should be focused on bringing the nation together. Instead, Democrats are going to impeach the president for a second time one week, one week before he leaves office. Why?” Jordan said. “They want to cancel the president.”“We should be focused on bringing the nation together. Instead, Democrats are going to impeach the president for a second time one week, one week before he leaves office. Why?” Jordan said. “They want to cancel the president.”
Jordan added, “It won’t just be the president of the United States. The cancel culture will come for us all.”Jordan added, “It won’t just be the president of the United States. The cancel culture will come for us all.”
In reality, Democrats have said they want to impeach the president for a second time because Trump incited a violent mob to attack the Capitol, resulting in five deaths.In reality, Democrats have said they want to impeach the president for a second time because Trump incited a violent mob to attack the Capitol, resulting in five deaths.
Moments ago, Pelosi argued Trump “must go” because he represents “a clear and present danger to the nation we all love”.Moments ago, Pelosi argued Trump “must go” because he represents “a clear and present danger to the nation we all love”.
Nancy Pelosi described January 6, when a violent mob stormed the Capitol, as a “day of fire.” George W Bush used the same phrase to describe the September 11 attacks.Nancy Pelosi described January 6, when a violent mob stormed the Capitol, as a “day of fire.” George W Bush used the same phrase to describe the September 11 attacks.
“We know that the president of the United States incited this insurrection, armed rebellion, against our common country,” the Democratic speaker said.“We know that the president of the United States incited this insurrection, armed rebellion, against our common country,” the Democratic speaker said.
Pelosi argued it was a vital necessity to impeach the president, but she said of the need to impeach, “It breaks my heart. It should break your heart. It should break all of our hearts.”Pelosi argued it was a vital necessity to impeach the president, but she said of the need to impeach, “It breaks my heart. It should break your heart. It should break all of our hearts.”
The speaker said she stood before the chamber today as “an officer of the constitution.” “Search your souls,” Pelosi said, “is the president’s war on democracy in keeping with the constitution?”The speaker said she stood before the chamber today as “an officer of the constitution.” “Search your souls,” Pelosi said, “is the president’s war on democracy in keeping with the constitution?”
House speaker Nancy Pelosi kicked off the two hours of debate on the article of impeachment against Donald Trump.House speaker Nancy Pelosi kicked off the two hours of debate on the article of impeachment against Donald Trump.
The Democratic speaker began her remarks by quoting Abraham Lincoln, saying, “We cannot escape history. We... will be remembered in spite of ourselves.”The Democratic speaker began her remarks by quoting Abraham Lincoln, saying, “We cannot escape history. We... will be remembered in spite of ourselves.”
Pelosi argued Trump must be removed from office because he represents a clear threat to national security.Pelosi argued Trump must be removed from office because he represents a clear threat to national security.
“He must go,” Pelosi said. “He is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”“He must go,” Pelosi said. “He is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”
The article of impeachment, incitement of insurrection, is now being read on the House floor before the debate begins.The article of impeachment, incitement of insurrection, is now being read on the House floor before the debate begins.
The article reads, in part, “In his conduct while President of the United States — and in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, provide, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed — Donald John Trump engaged in high Crimes and Misdemeanors by inciting violence against the Government of the United States ...The article reads, in part, “In his conduct while President of the United States — and in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, provide, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed — Donald John Trump engaged in high Crimes and Misdemeanors by inciting violence against the Government of the United States ...
“Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. Donald John Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.”“Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. Donald John Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.”
The House has voted 221-203 to begin debate on the article of impeachment, incitement of insurrection, against Donald Trump.The House has voted 221-203 to begin debate on the article of impeachment, incitement of insurrection, against Donald Trump.
The House will now debate the article for two hours, with a final vote on impeachment expected later this afternoon.The House will now debate the article for two hours, with a final vote on impeachment expected later this afternoon.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi went outside to thank the National Guard troops who are protecting the Capitol today, as members vote on the article of impeachment against Donald Trump.House speaker Nancy Pelosi went outside to thank the National Guard troops who are protecting the Capitol today, as members vote on the article of impeachment against Donald Trump.
The Democratic speaker also presented the troops with her challenge coin as a token of appreciation, per NBC News.The Democratic speaker also presented the troops with her challenge coin as a token of appreciation, per NBC News.