Currents News Staff
After a day of intense debate, the House of Representatives impeached President Donald J. Trump. In a historic first, Trump has become the first president in history to be impeached twice.
“Is the president’s war on democracy in keeping with the constitution?” asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan also asked, “Democrats are going to impeach the president for a second time. One week, one week before he leaves office. Why?”
The vote comes just a week after a violent mob took over the capitol, passing 232 to 197 with 10 Republicans voting against the president.
One week after protesters stormed the Capitol, the House debated impeaching President Trump on one count inciting an insurrection.
“We are debating this historic measure at an actual crime scene,” said Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, “and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the President of the United States.”
“The President of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion inside our common country. He must go,” said Speaker Pelosi. “He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love.”
California Rep. Tom McClintock said, “I cannot think of a more petty, vindictive, or gratuitous act, than to impeach an already defeated president a week before he is to leave office.”
President Trump denied responsibility for the riot. Rep. Jordan read the president’s statement.
“Statement from the President: ‘I urge that there must be no violence, no lawbreaking and no vandalism of any kind,” said Rep. Jordan. “That is not what I stand for.'”
Most House Republicans argue that impeachment will ultimately do more harm than good.
“The President bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” said House Republican Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy. “A vote to impeach would further divide this nation. A vote to impeach would further fan the flames of partisan division.”
Although the House has the power to impeach, it’s the Senate that holds a trial and can ultimately remove Trump from the presidency and potentially bar him from ever seeking office again.