10 Republicans say yes to impeachment
Washington, January 14
Donald Trump on Wednesday became the first president in US history to be impeached twice, as 10 of his fellow Republicans joined Democrats in the House of Representatives to charge him with inciting an insurrection in last week’s violent rampage in the Capitol.
The vote in the Democratic-controlled House was 232-197 following the deadly assault on the American democracy, although it appeared unlikely the swift impeachment would lead to Trump’s ouster before his four-year term ends and Democratic President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on January 20.
The Senate’s Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, rejected Democratic calls for a quick impeachment trial, saying there was no way to conclude it before Trump leaves office. But even if he has left the White House, a Senate conviction of Trump could lead to a vote on banning him from running for office again.
The House passed a single article of impeachment, accusing Trump of “incitement of insurrection”.
“The President of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common country,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said on the House floor before the vote. “He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love.”
At a later ceremony, she signed the article of impeachment before it is sent to the Senate, saying she did it “sadly, with a heart broken over what this means to our country”.
Democratic congressman Joaquin Castro called Trump “the most dangerous man to ever occupy the Oval Office”. Congresswoman Maxine Waters accused Trump of wanting civil war and fellow Democrat Jim McGovern said the president “instigated an attempted coup”.
Some Republicans argued the impeachment drive was a rush to judgment that bypassed the customary deliberative process such as hearings and called on Democrats to abandon the effort for the sake of national unity and healing.
“Impeaching the president in such a short time frame would be a mistake,” said Kevin McCarthy, the House’s top Republican.
“That doesn’t mean the president is free from fault. He bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters.”
Ten Republicans voted to impeach Trump, including Liz Cheney, the No. 3 House Republican.
“I am not choosing a side, I’m choosing truth,” Republican Jamie Herrera Beutler said in announcing her support for impeachment, drawing applause from Democrats. “It’s the only way to defeat fear.” — Reuters
| Representatives who broke ranks | |
| Liz Cheney | John Katko |
| Anthony Gonzalez | Fred Upton |
| Peter Meijer | Jaime Herrera Beutler |
| Dan Newhouse | Tom Rice |
| Adam Kinzinger | David Valadao |
Won’t take blame for capitol mayhem
In a video statement released after the House’s action on Wednesday, Trump did not mention the impeachment vote and took no responsibility for his remarks to supporters last week, but condemned the violence.
Trial may start on Inauguration Day
Trump’s impeachment trial could begin on Inauguration Day next Wednesday as President-elect Joe Biden is being sworn into office It’s the possible schedule if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sends the articles of impeachment to the Senate soon
Legal proceedings
Impeachment is a remedy devised by America’s 18th century founders to enable Congress to remove a president, who has, according to the Constitution, committed “treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanours”.
Three Presidents impeached
- Andrew Johnson (1868)
- Bill Clinton (1998)
- Trump (2019)
