Impeachment Vote: Democrats Renew Effort to Impeach President Trump Following Capitol Riot

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement on Wednesday regarding the Senate schedule:

“The House of Representatives has voted to impeach the President. The Senate process will now begin at our first regular meeting following receipt of the article from the House.

“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. The Senate has held three presidential impeachment trials. They have lasted 83 days, 37 days, and 21 days respectively.

“Even if the Senate process were to begin this week and move promptly, no final verdict would be reached until after President Trump had left office. This is not a decision I am making; it is a fact. The President-elect himself stated last week that his inauguration on January 20 is the ‘quickest’ path for any change in the occupant of the presidency.

“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. I am grateful to the offices and institutions within the Capitol that are working around the clock, alongside federal and local law enforcement, to prepare for a safe and successful inauguration at the Capitol next Wednesday.”

Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) on why he voted NO on impeachment:

"The violence at the U.S. Capitol last week was a gruesome and senseless display, and I remain hopeful President Trump will address the nation to encourage a peaceful transition for the swearing-in of President-Elect Biden on January 20th. Emotions are running high and this has led to an impromptu article of impeachment, something the framers of our Constitution intended to be a deliberate process.

"There has not been an investigation, there have been no hearings, and we are seven days away from a new administration assuming the lead of our government. I do not believe impeachment is the appropriate course of action at this time and remain concerned that moving forward will only further sow seeds of division across the political landscape."

Ten Republicans voted to impeach President Trump.

Trump is charged with "inciting violence against the government of the United States."

President Trump is impeached by the House, becoming the first U.S. president to be impeached twice.

7 now

Rep. Steny Hoyer closes his argument for impeachment by again quoting Rep. Liz Cheney.

First bit of bipartisanship in awhile as Rep. Steve Scalise encourages his colleagues to applaud the Capitol Police.

Rep. Lee Zeldin: "We all know this was a pre-planned attack...why is that not in the articles of impeachment?"

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX): 

The President of the United States deserves universal condemnation for what was clearly impeachable conduct – pressuring the Vice President to violate his oath to the Constitution to count the electors.

His open and public pressure – courageously rejected by the Vice President – purposefully seeded the false belief among the President’s supporters, including those assembled on January 6th, that there was a legal path for the President to stay in power.

It was foreseeable and reckless to sow such a false belief that could lead to violence and rioting by loyal supporters whipped into a frenzy.

For this behavior, I would vote to impeach the President if presented with articles that are so pled.

Unfortunately, my Democrat colleagues drafted articles that I believe are flawed… focusing on the legally specific terms of incitement and insurrection. 

Even noting impeachment does not require meeting a certain legal standard – the danger for open speech & debate in this body and for the Republic generally is high – if the House approves the articles as written.