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Trump impeachment: six House Republicans indicate they will vote in support – live Trump impeachment: six House Republicans indicate they will vote in support – live
(32 minutes later)
Washington Republican Dan Newhouse joins other in his party supporting impeachment, saying Trump ‘inflamed a violent mob’Washington Republican Dan Newhouse joins other in his party supporting impeachment, saying Trump ‘inflamed a violent mob’
Marjorie Taylor Greene, the freshman Georgia congresswoman who supports the QAnon conspiracy theory, delivered her speech while wearing a mask that said “censored”.
Greene did not seem to pick up on the irony that she was claiming to be “censored” while delivering a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, which was broadcast on national television.
Nancy Pelosi will speak today at the lectern that was taken by one of the rioters during the violence at the Capitol last week.
A House staffer was seen wheeling the lectern through Statuary Hall as the floor debate on the article of impeachment continued.
During the riot last week, a man was photographed carrying the speaker’s lectern through the Rotunda with a smile and a wave to the camera.
The man, identified as Adam Christian Johnson of Florida, was arrested on federal charges two days later.
New York Democratic representative Adriano Espaillat just spoke in utter fury about a mob “summoned and dispatched” by Donald Trump to attack the US Capitol on January 6, including one rioter who waved a Confederate flag inside the complex.
He said he believed that those exhorted by the president to march on the Capitol as both chambers of Congress were in session to certify the election result in Joe Biden’s favor were intent on trying to kidnap lawmakers.
Espaillat said he believes thugs aimed “to assassinate Pence and Pelosi”, referring to the Republican vice president Mike Pence and the Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
Trump had urged his supporters at a rally before the riot to march on the Capitol and “fight” to overturn the election result, after his requests to Pence somehow to engineer such a thing (which is not in the vice president’s power) had failed.
Moments ago, Cori Bush, the newly elected progressive congresswoman from St Louis, delivered an impassioned speech calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump.
“If we fail to remove a white supremacist president who incited a white supremacist insurrection, it’s communities like Missouri’s 1st district that suffer the most,” Bush said.
“The 117th Congress must understand that we have a mandate to legislate in defense of Black lives. The first step in that process is to root out white supremacy, starting with impeaching the white supremacist-in-chief.”
As she finished her speech, Bush’s denunciation of white supremacy was booed by some of her Republican colleagues.
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 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.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.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.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 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: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.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.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.”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.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.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.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.”“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.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.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”.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.”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.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”.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.“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.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.
“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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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”.
“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.”
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”.
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.
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?”
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.”
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.”
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 ...
“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 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.
The Democratic speaker also presented the troops with her challenge coin as a token of appreciation, per NBC News.