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Donald Trump becomes the first US president to be impeached for a second time – live Donald Trump becomes the first US president to be impeached for a second time – live
(32 minutes later)
Ten House Republicans join Democrats to impeach president on charge of incitement of insurrection after violent riot at US CapitolTen House Republicans join Democrats to impeach president on charge of incitement of insurrection after violent riot at US Capitol
Micah Loewinger and Hampton Stall report:
Audio and chat logs reveal that at least two insurrectionists who broke into the Capitol on 6 January used Zello, a social media walkie-talkie app that critics say has largely ignored a growing far-right user base.
“We are in the main dome right now,” said a female militia member, speaking on Zello, her voice competing with the cacophony of a clash with Capitol police. “We are rocking it. They’re throwing grenades, they’re frickin’ shooting people with paintballs, but we’re in here.”
“God bless and godspeed. Keep going,” said a male voice from a quiet environment.
“Jess, do your shit,” said another. “This is what we fucking lived up for. Everything we fucking trained for.”
The frenzied exchange took place at 2.44pm in a public Zello channel called “STOP THE STEAL J6”, where Trump supporters at home and in Washington DC discussed the riot as it unfolded. Dynamic group conversations like this exemplify why Zello, a smartphone and PC app, has become popular among militias, which have long fetishized military-like communication on analog radio.
After years of public pressure, Facebook, Twitter, and Discord have begun to crack down on inciting speech from far-right groups, but Zello has avoided proactive content moderation thus far.
Most coverage about Zello, which claims to have 150 million users on its free and premium platforms, has focused on its use by the Cajun Navy groups that send boats to save flood victims and grassroots organizing in Venezuela. However, the app is also home to hundreds of far-right channels, which appear to violate its policy prohibiting groups that espouse “violent ideologies”.
Responding to a list of over 800 far-right channels, Zello said it was “prepared to take action on those”. The company also said it was working on a more elaborate response. In addition to locking some public features that would help researchers uncover more extremist content, Zello had begun purging some far-right groups as of Wednesday.
Read more:
The violent attack on the US Capitol last week followed a Donald Trump speech in which he told his supporters to “fight” for him. “If you don’t fight like hell you’re not going to have a country anymore,” Trump told his supporters. “You’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength.”
And yet yesterday, in Alamo, Texas, Trump again insisted: “If you read my speech … people thought that what I said was totally appropriate.”
But with an impeachment trial coming up, the president seems to have slightly shifted his rhetoric.
Trump, as others in his party have done, also tried to chastise both sides for the violence, despite the fact that it was his supporters who led the attack last week.Trump, as others in his party have done, also tried to chastise both sides for the violence, despite the fact that it was his supporters who led the attack last week.
This year, he said, “we have seen political violence spiral out of control. We have seen too many riots, too many mobs too many acts of intimidation and destruction. It must. Whether you are on the right, or on the left, a Democrat or Republican. There is never a justification for violence. No excuses. no exceptions.”This year, he said, “we have seen political violence spiral out of control. We have seen too many riots, too many mobs too many acts of intimidation and destruction. It must. Whether you are on the right, or on the left, a Democrat or Republican. There is never a justification for violence. No excuses. no exceptions.”
Banned from social media, Donald Trump has released a video statement condemning violence but making no mention of his impeachment and without taking any responsibility for inciting the attack on the Capitol last week.Banned from social media, Donald Trump has released a video statement condemning violence but making no mention of his impeachment and without taking any responsibility for inciting the attack on the Capitol last week.
“Those who engaged in the attacks last week will be brought to justice,” Trump said.“Those who engaged in the attacks last week will be brought to justice,” Trump said.
“Sadly and with a heart broken,” House speaker Nancy Pelosi said, as she signed the impeachment article that will be sent to the Senate.“Sadly and with a heart broken,” House speaker Nancy Pelosi said, as she signed the impeachment article that will be sent to the Senate.
“Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to our country,” she said, saying she was sad about “what this means for our country” as she signed the article accusing Trump of incitement of insurrection. “Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to our country,” she said, and that she was sad about “what this means for our country” as she signed the article accusing Trump of incitement of insurrection.
Meanwhile, the Democrats are huddling on how they’d prosecute.Meanwhile, the Democrats are huddling on how they’d prosecute.
CNN’s Manu Raju:CNN’s Manu Raju:
A lot could happen between now and the impeachment trial...A lot could happen between now and the impeachment trial...
But it remains unclear whether enough Republican senators will vote to convict the president. Pat Toomey, a Republican senator of Pennsylvania, who condemned Trump’s role in inciting violence and called on him to resign has nevertheless hedged on whether he’d vote to convict. But it remains unclear whether enough Republican senators will vote to convict the president. Pat Toomey, a Republican senator of Pennsylvania, who condemned Trump’s role in inciting violence and called on him to resign, has nevertheless hedged on whether he’d vote to convict.
Whether the Senate can convict a president after leaving office is “debatable” Toomey said in a statement. “Should the Senate conduct a trial, I will again fulfill my responsibility to consider arguments from both the House managers and President Trump’s lawyers,” he said.Whether the Senate can convict a president after leaving office is “debatable” Toomey said in a statement. “Should the Senate conduct a trial, I will again fulfill my responsibility to consider arguments from both the House managers and President Trump’s lawyers,” he said.
Trump’s second impeachment has led to some strong responses from political commentators, including former US labor secretary and Guardian US columnist Robert Reich:Trump’s second impeachment has led to some strong responses from political commentators, including former US labor secretary and Guardian US columnist Robert Reich:
The Senate’s leading Democrat, Chuck Schumer responds to the Trump impeachment: “A Senate trial can begin immediately, with agreement from the current Senate Majority Leader to reconvene the Senate for an emergency session, or it will begin after January 19th. But make no mistake, there will be an impeachment trial in the United States Senate”The Senate’s leading Democrat, Chuck Schumer responds to the Trump impeachment: “A Senate trial can begin immediately, with agreement from the current Senate Majority Leader to reconvene the Senate for an emergency session, or it will begin after January 19th. But make no mistake, there will be an impeachment trial in the United States Senate”
“Despite the efforts of Donald Trump and violent insurrectionists, America is not a dictatorship,” Schumer said.” We have been and will forever remain a Democracy that respects and reveres the rule of law, including the bedrock principle that the voters choose our leaders – that just power can only derive from the consent of the governed.”“Despite the efforts of Donald Trump and violent insurrectionists, America is not a dictatorship,” Schumer said.” We have been and will forever remain a Democracy that respects and reveres the rule of law, including the bedrock principle that the voters choose our leaders – that just power can only derive from the consent of the governed.”
Mitch McConnell has said there’s no chance of an impeachment trial for Trump until after Joe Biden is inaugurated.Mitch McConnell has said there’s no chance of an impeachment trial for Trump until after Joe Biden is inaugurated.
“Given the rules, procedures, and Senate precedents that govern presidential impeachment trials, there is simply no chance that a fair or serious trial could conclude before President-elect Biden is sworn in next week,” McConnell said in a statement.“Given the rules, procedures, and Senate precedents that govern presidential impeachment trials, there is simply no chance that a fair or serious trial could conclude before President-elect Biden is sworn in next week,” McConnell said in a statement.
“In light of this reality, I believe it will best serve our nation if Congress and the executive branch spend the next seven days completely focused on facilitating a safe inauguration and an orderly transfer of power to the incoming Biden Administration,” he said. “In light of this reality, I believe it will best serve our nation if Congress and the executive branch spend the next seven days completely focused on facilitating a safe inauguration and an orderly transfer of power to the incoming Biden administration,” he said.
The Republican leader did not indicate his position on whether he’d vote to convict or acquit Trump.The Republican leader did not indicate his position on whether he’d vote to convict or acquit Trump.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where this historic day stands:Here’s where this historic day stands:
Donald Trump became the first US president to be impeached twice. The House voted to impeach Trump on incitement of insurrection, after the president incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol last week, resulting in five deaths.Donald Trump became the first US president to be impeached twice. The House voted to impeach Trump on incitement of insurrection, after the president incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol last week, resulting in five deaths.
Ten House Republicans voted in favor of impeachment. Their votes made this the most bipartisan presidential impeachment in US history. The final vote on the article of impeachment was 232-197.Ten House Republicans voted in favor of impeachment. Their votes made this the most bipartisan presidential impeachment in US history. The final vote on the article of impeachment was 232-197.
Nancy Pelosi delivered an impassioned speech calling on members to support impeachment. “He must go,” the Democratic speaker said of the president. “He is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”Nancy Pelosi delivered an impassioned speech calling on members to support impeachment. “He must go,” the Democratic speaker said of the president. “He is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”
Kevin McCarthy said Trump “bears responsibility” for the Capitol attack but did not deserve to be impeached. “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” the Republican minority leader said. “He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding.”Kevin McCarthy said Trump “bears responsibility” for the Capitol attack but did not deserve to be impeached. “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” the Republican minority leader said. “He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding.”
Mitch McConnell has said there will be no impeachment trial earlier than January 19, when the Senate is currently set to return from recess. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, had said the chamber should return early to take up impeachment, but McConnell has signaled no interest in doing so. Mitch McConnell has said there will be no impeachment trial earlier than 19 January, when the Senate is currently set to return from recess. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, had said the chamber should return early to take up impeachment, but McConnell has signaled no interest in doing so.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Why did Donald Trump just get impeached on the charge of incitement of insurrection?Why did Donald Trump just get impeached on the charge of incitement of insurrection?
In the chaotic aftermath of the Capitol riot, Trump and his now dwindling number of Republicans allies tried to claim he did nothing wrong.In the chaotic aftermath of the Capitol riot, Trump and his now dwindling number of Republicans allies tried to claim he did nothing wrong.
But as the Guardian’s Ed Pilkington has laid out, Trump’s incitement can be traced all the way back to 19 December, when he first mentioned a “big protest in DC”, and said “Be there, will be wild!”. This reached a climax on 6 January, when Trump urged a crowd outside the White House to march on the Capitol. Read the full timeline here:But as the Guardian’s Ed Pilkington has laid out, Trump’s incitement can be traced all the way back to 19 December, when he first mentioned a “big protest in DC”, and said “Be there, will be wild!”. This reached a climax on 6 January, when Trump urged a crowd outside the White House to march on the Capitol. Read the full timeline here:
And here is Trump before the Capitol riot whipping up the crowd:And here is Trump before the Capitol riot whipping up the crowd:
The most surprising Republican “yes” vote on impeachment came from Tom Rice of South Carolina.The most surprising Republican “yes” vote on impeachment came from Tom Rice of South Carolina.
Before the vote, Rice did not offer any indication that he was planning to support impeachment, and he was not considered one of the likely “yes” votes.Before the vote, Rice did not offer any indication that he was planning to support impeachment, and he was not considered one of the likely “yes” votes.
Rice has not yet put out a statement explaining his vote, but this tweet from last week, sent during the violent riot at the Capitol, captures his frustration with Donald Trump.Rice has not yet put out a statement explaining his vote, but this tweet from last week, sent during the violent riot at the Capitol, captures his frustration with Donald Trump.
Here are the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection:Here are the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection:
John Katko of New York.John Katko of New York.
Liz Cheney of Wyoming.Liz Cheney of Wyoming.
Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.
Fred Upton of Michigan.Fred Upton of Michigan.
Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington state.Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington state.
Dan Newhouse of Washington state.Dan Newhouse of Washington state.
Peter Meijer of Michigan.Peter Meijer of Michigan.
Tom Rice of South Carolina.Tom Rice of South Carolina.
Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio.Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio.
David Valadao of California.David Valadao of California.
The Republicans’ votes made this the most bipartisan presidential impeachment in history. In comparison, five Democrats voted to impeach Bill Clinton in 1998.The Republicans’ votes made this the most bipartisan presidential impeachment in history. In comparison, five Democrats voted to impeach Bill Clinton in 1998.
The House has voted to impeach Donald Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection, after the president incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol last week, resulting in five deaths.The House has voted to impeach Donald Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection, after the president incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol last week, resulting in five deaths.
The final vote was 232-197, with 10 House Republicans supporting the measure.The final vote was 232-197, with 10 House Republicans supporting the measure.
Trump has become the first president in US history to ever be impeached by the House twice.Trump has become the first president in US history to ever be impeached by the House twice.
The matter will now go before the Senate, which will decide whether Trump should be convicted and removed from office.The matter will now go before the Senate, which will decide whether Trump should be convicted and removed from office.
The trial will likely conclude after Joe Biden takes office anyway, but a conviction would prevent Trump from running for president again.The trial will likely conclude after Joe Biden takes office anyway, but a conviction would prevent Trump from running for president again.
A tenth House Republican, David Valadao of California, has voted “yes” on the article of impeachment against Donald Trump.A tenth House Republican, David Valadao of California, has voted “yes” on the article of impeachment against Donald Trump.
The vote currently stands at 229-195 in favor of impeachment.The vote currently stands at 229-195 in favor of impeachment.
Nine members have not yet voted.Nine members have not yet voted.
The article of impeachment has now reached a majority level of support, with at least 229 House members voting “yes” on impeaching Donald Trump for a second time.The article of impeachment has now reached a majority level of support, with at least 229 House members voting “yes” on impeaching Donald Trump for a second time.
The vote currently stands at 229-194.The vote currently stands at 229-194.
But the vote is still ongoing, and members can change their votes until it is gaveled out. Stay tuned.But the vote is still ongoing, and members can change their votes until it is gaveled out. Stay tuned.
Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Ann Wagner of Missouri and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania have all voted “no” on impeachment.Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Ann Wagner of Missouri and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania have all voted “no” on impeachment.
The three members were some of the last remaining Republicans who were considered possible “yes” votes, but they have apparently decided against impeaching the president for a second time.The three members were some of the last remaining Republicans who were considered possible “yes” votes, but they have apparently decided against impeaching the president for a second time.
It’s looking like the total number of Republicans supporting impeachment will likely be nine, but we won’t know for sure until the vote is complete.It’s looking like the total number of Republicans supporting impeachment will likely be nine, but we won’t know for sure until the vote is complete.
Seven House Republicans have already voted “yes” on impeaching Donald Trump, and at least two more are expected to do so.Seven House Republicans have already voted “yes” on impeaching Donald Trump, and at least two more are expected to do so.
Assuming no one charges their vote, this will be the most bipartisan presidential impeachment in US history, as a CBC News reporter noted.Assuming no one charges their vote, this will be the most bipartisan presidential impeachment in US history, as a CBC News reporter noted.