Vote on Trump impeachment today

FBI warns of armed protests

Washington: The FBI said it had received intelligence that armed protests were being planned at all 50 US state capitols and in Washington DC in the run-up to Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20. It has lead to fears of more deadly violence by extremists supporting outgoing President Donald Trump. Posts on pro-Trump and far-right online networks have called for protest action on a number of dates, including armed demonstrations in cities across the country on January 17 and a march in Washington DC on inauguration day itself. PTI

Trump issues emergency in Washington

Washington: Donald Trump has issued an emergency declaration for the national capital here amidst threat perception to the event by federal agencies. In a statement on Monday, the White House said the President’s action authorises the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population. PTI

Washington, January 12

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives would vote on the impeachment of outgoing President Donald Trump on Wednesday on charges of inciting his supporters to carry out a violent attack on the Capitol Hill last week.

Co-authored by Congressmen Jamie Raskin, David Cicilline and Ted Lieu, the article of impeachment, co-sponsored by 211 House members, was tabled on Monday.

The article of impeachment charges Trump with a count of “incitement of insurrection” for his actions on January 6, when he delivered a speech inciting his supporters to lay siege to the Capitol, an action that temporarily halted the counting of Electoral College votes and resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a police officer.

The Democrats have enough votes to impeach the President, which requires a simple majority. But the Senate, where both the Republicans and Democrats have now 50-50 seats, would require votes of two-third of the members to remove the President.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in her capacity as Chairperson of the Senate would add one more to the Democrats when necessary. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the vote on impeachment in the upper chambers of the US Congress can not happen before the Inauguration Day on January 20.

Later, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar also introduced two articles of impeachment against Trump. The first article cites Trump’s abuse of power for attempting to overturn the presidential election results in Georgia. The second article addresses the incitement of violence for orchestrating an attempted coup against the country. — PTI