Trump House Impeachment Vote: Donald Trump has seven days remaining in his term (File)
A bipartisan majority of lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to impeach Donald Trump seven days from the end of his term, assuring he becomes the first US president to be impeached twice.
With nearly all votes counted, the number supporting impeachment on the single charge of "incitement of insurrection" for Trump's role in whipping up a violent mob surpassed 217, the majority threshold out of 433 current House members. At least 10 Republicans joined the Democrats.
Impeachment of the president will trigger a trial in the US Senate, which is not expected to begin its proceedings until Trump, 74, is out of office.
Trump had urged calm earlier today and said he opposed any violence among supporters as Congress debated his impeachment for inciting insurrection.
"In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for, and it is not what America stands for," Trump said in a statement released by the White House.
"I call on ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You."
The House of Representatives was set to impeach "clear and present danger" President Donald Trump Wednesday, with several key Republicans backing the Democrat-led push to bring down the real estate tycoon in flames a week before he leaves office.
Reflecting nationwide tensions, lawmakers debated the charge against Trump of stoking insurrection against a backdrop of a Washington under a state of siege.
Armed National Guards deployed across the capital and central streets and public spaces were blocked off.
In the Capitol building itself, guards in full camouflage and carrying assault rifles assembled, some of them grabbing naps early Wednesday under the ornate statues and historical paintings.
The expected vote, coming seven days ahead of Democrat Joe Biden's inauguration, would make Trump the first US president to have been impeached twice.
Here are the Live Updates of debate on Donald Trump's impeachment:
Solemnity, tension at gaveling of Trump's second impeachment
There was deep silence on the House floor as the gavel struck Wednesday heralding the second impeachment of US President Donald Trump.
With hands clasped atop a lectern on which rested the results of the chamber's historic vote, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the charges, making Trump the only president in US history to be impeached twice, this time for "incitement of insurrection" against the Capitol.
During the document's subsequent sober signing, the mood was a far cry from Trump's first impeachment, when Pelosi signed the document with multiple pens, distributing them to elected Democrats with a smile.
As if to emphasize the occasion's solemnity, Pelosi, who is known for her bright suits, opted for the same dark outfit she wore for Trump's first impeachment on December 18, 2019 -- a look equally if not more befitting a funeral.
"No One Above Law": US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi After Trump Impeached
Donald Trump's impeachment Wednesday confirmed that "no one is above the law," US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the defiant Republican president was impeached for the second time in 13 months.
"Today in a bipartisan way the House demonstrated that no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States," the top Democrat in Congress said at a ceremony at which she signed the article of impeachment.
Trump Urges Americans To Be "United" But Doesn't Mention ImpeachmentUS President Donald Trump urged Americans to be "united" and avoid violence in his first comments after being impeached Wednesday -- while avoiding any mention of impeachment at all.
In the videotaped speech, Trump said he was "calling on all Americans to overcome the passions of the moment and join together as one American people. Let us choose to move forward united for the good of our families."
Repudiating his supporters who assaulted Congress a week ago, triggering his second impeachment in the House of Representatives, Trump said "there is never a justification for violence. No excuses, no exceptions: America is a nation of laws."
"No one" above the law, Nancy Pelosi says after Trump impeached
No chance of 'fair' trial until after Trump leaves office, says US Senate leader
Donald Trump ImpeachedA bipartisan majority of lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to impeach Donald Trump seven days from the end of his term, assuring he becomes the first US president to be impeached twice.
With nearly all votes counted, the number supporting impeachment on the single charge of "incitement of insurrection" for Trump's role in whipping up a violent mob surpassed 217, the majority threshold out of 433 current House members. At least 10 Republicans joined the Democrats.
Impeachment of the president will trigger a trial in the US Senate, which is not expected to begin its proceedings until Trump, 74, is out of office.
Seven Republicans voted to impeach Donald Trump.
Donald Trump Impeachment: US House Votes To Impeach Trump For A Second Time
BREAKING NEWS | Majority Of US House Votes To Impeach Trump For The Second Time Over Capitol Riots
US House begins vote to impeach Trump for second time
The US House of Representatives began its momentous vote Wednesday on impeaching President Donald Trump for a second time, on charges of "incitement of insurrection."
After hours of intense debate, a bipartisan majority of members is expected to impeach the president, who urged supporters last week to march on the US Capitol and "fight like hell," actions that Democrats say incited a mob to stage a violent and deadly uprising.
Shortly before the vote began, number two House Democrat Steny Hoyer urged lawmakers to "reject sedition, tyranny and insurrection" and vote to impeach Trump "for America, for our constitution, for democracy, for history.
Voting begins in the House on Donald Trump impeachment
Trump impeachment LIVE: Barbara Lee On Donald Trump Impeachment
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Trump Impeachment LIVE: Pramila Jayapal on Donald Trump's Impeachment
Republican Senate leader doesn't rule out voting to remove Trump
Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell indicated Wednesday he has not decided on President Donald Trump's impeachment, not ruling out voting to remove him.
"While the press has been full of speculation, I have not made a final decision on how I will vote and I intend to listen to the legal arguments when they are presented to the Senate," McConnell said in a note to Republican colleagues.
Trump impeachment LIVE: Ilhan Omar On Donald Trump Impeachment
Attackers of Capitol were ''domestic terrorists'' sent by Trump: Nancy PelosiCalling for the impeachment of Donald Trump, the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that those who attacked the Capitol last week were "domestic terrorists" and "the President of the United States incited this insurrection".
Terming Trump as a "danger to the nation", she said, "We know that the President of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common country. He must go, he is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love."
Speaking during the debate on the article of impeachment of President Trump, Pelosi said, "Those insurrectionists were not patriots. They were not part of a political base to be catered to and managed. They were domestic terrorists and justice must prevail."
She further said that the insurrectionists "did not appear out of a vacuum" but "sent here, sent here by the President with words such as a cry -- to fight like hell".
(ANI)
Trump Impeachment LIVE: Nancy Pelosi On Donald Trump's Impeachment
Donald Trump's "NO Violence" Statement Ahead Of Impeachment Vote
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Marjorie Taylor Greene on Donald Trump Impeachment
Darrell Issa on Donald Trump impeachment
Elizabeth Warren on Donald Trump impeachment
Republicans who backed Trump impeachment after storming of US Capitol
JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER
Herrera Beutler is a moderate from Washington state. "The president's offenses, in my reading of the Constitution, were impeachable based on the indisputable evidence we already have," she said in a statement.
Republicans who backed Trump impeachment after storming of US Capitol
FRED UPTON
Upton in November said Trump had shown no proof of his claims that his election defeat was the result of widespread fraud.
Republicans who backed Trump impeachment after storming of US Capitol
JOHN KATKO
Katko was the first member of the House Republican caucus to say he would vote for impeachment.
Republicans who backed Trump impeachment after storming of US Capitol
ADAM KINZINGER
A frequent Trump critic, Kinzinger said Trump broke his oath of office by inciting his supporters to insurrection and used his position to attack the legislative branch of government.
Republicans who backed Trump impeachment after storming of US Capitol
DAN NEWHOUSE
Newhouse announced his intention to vote to impeach on the House floor during Wednesday's debate, drawing applause from the roughly two dozen Democrats on the floor.
Republicans who backed Trump impeachment after storming of US CapitolAfter spending four years defending President Donald Trump's behavior, a growing number of Republican lawmakers have said they will vote to impeach him on charges that he incited his supporters to carry out the deadly Jan. 6 attack on Congress.
Below are some of the Republicans who said they will vote for impeachment when the House of Representatives votes on Wednesday:
LIZ CHENEY
The No. 3 House Republican, Cheney was the most senior member of her party to vote against efforts to challenge the Jan. 6 Electoral College results confirming Trump's loss. The daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney is a rising star in the party.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi On Donald Trump's Impeachment
"We cannot escape history. We know that the president of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion. ... He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love. The president must be impeached, and I believe the president must be convicted by the Senate, a constitutional remedy that will ensure that the republic will be safe from this man who was so resolutely determined to tear down the things that we hold dear and that hold us together. ... Democrats and Republicans, I ask you to search your souls and answer these questions: Is the president's war on democracy in keeping with the Constitution? Were his words and insurrectionary mob a high crime and a misdemeanor? Do we not have a duty to our oath to do all we constitutionally can to protect our nation and our democracy from the appetites and ambitions of a man who has self-evidently demonstrated that he is a vital threat to liberty, to self-government and to the rule of law?"
US lawmakers' comments on impeachment of President Donald Trump
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JASON CROW, DEMOCRAT OF COLORADO
"He will be impeached twice because he needs to be impeached twice."
US lawmakers' comments on impeachment of President Donald Trump
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE VAL DEMINGS, DEMOCRAT OF FLORIDA
"We will impeach the president of the United States twice: the first time this has been done in history. This is all about accountability, holding this president accountable."
US lawmakers' comments on impeachment of President Donald Trump
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE NANCY MACE, REPUBLICAN OF SOUTH CAROLINA
"The U.S. House of Representatives has every right to impeach the president of the United States. But what we're doing today, rushing this impeachment in an hour- or two-hour-long debate on the floor of this chamber and bypassing (the) Judiciary (Committee), poses great questions about the constitutionality of this process."
US lawmakers' comments on impeachment of President Donald Trump
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE LLOYD DOGGETT, DEMOCRAT OF TEXAS
"America, we did stop the steal. We stopped Donald Trump from stealing our democracy and imposing himself as a tyrant."
US lawmakers' comments on impeachment of President Donald Trump
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE, DEMOCRAT OF TEXAS
"The president of the United States is an insurrectionist. He led an insurrection against the United States of America."
Donald Trump urges 'NO violence' and appeals for calm in US
President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged calm and said he opposed any violence among supporters as Congress debated his impeachment for inciting insurrection.
"In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for, and it is not what America stands for," Trump said in a statement released by the White House.
"I call on ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You."
What Happens Next If Donald Trump Is ImpeachedWith the US House of Representatives poised to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time -- just days before he is to leave office -- questions are being raised about what happens next.
Here are some of the possible scenarios if the House, as expected, impeaches Trump on Wednesday for inciting last week's attack by his supporters on the US Capitol as Congress certified Democrat Joe Biden's presidential election victory.
BREAKING | Donald Trump urges 'NO violence' and appeals for calm in US
Trump responsible for riot but impeachment a 'mistake': McCarthy
The top Republican in the House of Representatives said Wednesday that Donald Trump "bears responsibility" for inciting a riot at the US Capitol, but warned that a hurried impeachment of the president would be inappropriate.
"I believe impeaching the president in such a short time frame would be a mistake" because the action would "further divide this nation," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said in a floor speech an hour before a bipartisan majority was expected to impeach Trump for an unprecedented second time.
But he did acknowledge that Trump "bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob riots."
He also said Congress should pass a "censure resolution" against the president, a public but largely symbolic condemnation that is opposed by Democrats because it carries no tangible penalty.
Impeachment of Trump would trigger a trial in the US Senate, similar to the one in which he was acquitted one year ago.
But the Senate is in recess until January 19, the day before Democrat Joe Biden's inauguration, and its Republican majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, will not agree to bringing the chamber back into session early in order to address impeachment.
"The Senate has confirmed that no trial will begin until after President-elect Biden is sworn in," McCarthy said.
That would mean the Senate would take the historic step of launching an impeachment trial with the president in question no longer in office.
Republicans have repeatedly stressed that a rushed impeachment process -- with no hearings, no formal witness presentations, and little laying out of evidence -- would open a Pandora's Box by paving the way for opposing parties to launch lightning impeachment efforts against presidents they did not like.
McCarthy was among several lawmakers in his party who supported Trump's ill-fated effort to contest election results in several states over baseless claims of massive election fraud.
But on Wednesday, with six House Republicans now publicly stating they will vote for impeachment, McCarthy affirmed Biden's election victory and said he was "ready to assist" the new president.
"Let's be clear: Joe Biden will be sworn in as president of the United States in one week, because he won the election," McCarthy said.
"The eyes of the nation and the world are upon us. We must seize this opportunity to heal and grow stronger."
Top House Republican says 'mistake' to impeach Trump so quickly
(News Agency AFP)
Donald Trump impeachment session: House members arrive
Donald Trump impeachment session: LIVE
JUST IN | Trump 'bears responsibility' for US Capitol riot: top House Republican
US lawmakers' comments on impeachment of President Donald Trump
U.S. SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM, REPUBLICAN OF SOUTH CAROLINA, IN A STATEMENT
"Supporting the impeachment of President Trump under these circumstances will do great damage to the institutions of government and could invite further violence at a time the President is calling for calm. If there was a time for America's political leaders to bend a knee and ask for God's counsel and guidance, it is now. The most important thing for leaders to do in times of crisis is to make things better, not worse."
Nancy Pelosi brands Trump 'clear and present danger,' says 'he must go'
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday demanded the impeachment of Donald Trump in the final week of his presidency, calling him a "clear and present danger" to America for inciting an "armed rebellion" at the US Capitol.
"He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love," the most powerful Democrat in Congress told the House chamber during debate over whether to impeach Trump for an unprecedented second time, for "incitement of insurrection."
"Since the presidential election in November, an election the president lost, he has repeatedly lied about the outcome," sought to sow doubt about the election process, and "unconstitutionally sought to influence state officials" to overturn Democrat Joe Biden's election win, Pelosi said.
US lawmakers' comments on impeachment of President Donald Trump
HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER STENY HOYER, DEMOCRAT OF MARYLAND
"There are consequences to actions and the actions of the president of the United States demand urgent, clear action by the Congress of the United States."
US lawmakers' comments on impeachment of President Donald Trump
HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIR JIM MCGOVERN, DEMOCRAT OF MASSACHUSETTS
"We are debating this historic measure at an actual crime scene and we wouldn't be here if it weren't for the president of the United States. This was a well-organized attack on our country that was incited by Donald Trump. ... This Capitol was stormed. People died because of the big lies that were being told by this president and by too many people on the other side of the aisle (Republicans). ... The president of the United States instigated an attempted coup in this country. People died. Everybody should be outraged. If this is not an impeachable offense, I don't know what the hell is."
Donald Trump impeachment session: What happened so farRepublican leadership in the U.S Senate is mulling the possibility of beginning an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump as early as Friday if the House of Representatives approves one article of impeachment, according to a source.
The senior Senate Republican aide, who asked not to be identified, stressed that no decisions had yet been made on whether to take that step.
Aides to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were not immediately available for comment.McConnell had taken the position that since the Senate's next regular meeting is set for Tuesday he could not bring the Senate back sooner for a work session without the consent of all 100 senators.
But Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has cited tools McConnell could employ to return early and has urged him to do so in order to consider a House article of impeachment.The Senate is scheduled to hold a "proforma" session on Friday
Such sessions are normally very brief and no legislation is transacted.The House is expected to vote later on Wednesday to approve an article of impeachment against Trump that accuses him of inciting an insurrection.
If it approves that measure it would be up to the Senate to decide whether to convict the president.
Donald Trump impeachment session: Republican cracks
While the House impeachment is all but assured, it had seemed highly unlikely that the Republican-controlled Senate would follow through with a trial.
Senate leader Mitch McConnell made clear that there was no time before the January 20 change in presidency because the Senate is in recess until January 19.
Other than scheduling problems, there has been no appetite among Republicans, who acquitted Trump in his first impeachment trial a year ago, to strip him of office just days before he is set to leave anyway.
However, according to The New York Times, McConnell signaled privately on Tuesday that he believes Trump did commit impeachable offenses and he welcomes the impeachment.
If confirmed, this would be a potentially fatal shift in the ground under Trump's feet. McConnell could in theory call the Senate back for an emergency session or encourage his senators to join Democrats in convicting Trump even after Biden assumes office.
In the House, the number three Republican Liz Cheney said she would be voting to impeach, and called Trump's actions "a betrayal" of his office.
This came after top House Republican Kevin McCarthy said members would not be required to toe the party line on the vote -- a significant weakening of support for Trump.
Four other House Republicans have now also publicly stated they will vote for impeachment.
The increasingly toothless Trump's social media woes deepened late Tuesday when video-sharing giant YouTube said it was suspending his official account for at least a week, out of concern his videos could incite violence.
He is also being cut out by the business world, threatening his future once he leaves the White House.
The latest blow to the Trump empire was when the mayor of his native New York City, Bill de Blasio, announced Wednesday a termination of contracts to run a golf course, two ice-skating rinks and a carousel in Central Park.
"New York City doesn't do business with insurrectionists," de Blasio, a Democrat, tweeted.
Donald Trump impeachment session: Support for Trump crumbling
Donald Trump remains defiant, refusing to accept responsibility for his campaign to undermine Americans' belief in the election system and his final, fiery speech on the Mall.
But his once seemingly unbreakable grip on Republicans is eroding as leaders run out of patience -- and look to a post-Trump rebuilding of their party.
Vice President Mike Pence threw Trump a lifeline on Tuesday, saying he would not invoke the 25th Amendment that allows him and the Cabinet to strip a sitting president of his powers.
Impeachment on the single charge of "incitement of insurrection," however, is all but assured to pass. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has scheduled a vote for around 3:00 pm (2000 GMT).
Trump, who has been stripped of his social media megaphones by Twitter and Facebook, and finds himself increasingly ostracized in the business world, is struggling to impose his message -- let alone any kind of resistance.
On a quick trip to Texas on Tuesday he visited the US-Mexico border wall, which he regards as one of his biggest achievements. But the brief, low-energy speech he made there did nothing to recapture his rapidly sliding momentum.
His insistence that his infamous speech to the crowd on January 6 had been "totally appropriate" and that he bore no blame for the attack on the Capitol infuriated allies and opponents alike.
Donald Trump impeachment session: What happened so farGoogle-owned YouTube on Tuesday temporarily suspended President Donald Trump's channel and removed a video for violating its policy against inciting violence, joining other social media platforms in banning his accounts after last week's Capitol riot.
Trump's access to the social media platforms he has used as a megaphone during his presidency has been largely cut off since a violent mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington DC last week.
Operators say the embittered leader could use his accounts to foment more unrest in the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
"In light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, we removed new content uploaded to Donald J. Trump's channel for violating our policies," YouTube said in a statement.
The channel is now "temporarily prevented from uploading new content for a 'minimum' of 7 days," the statement read.
Donald Trump impeachment session: What happened so far
Nancy Pelosi released a letter on Friday calling on Trump to resign and said that if he refused, Pence and the cabinet should remove the "unhinged" president from office by invoking the 25th Amendment.
Pelosi said that if Pence refused to invoke the 25th Amendment, the House would move to impeach Trump for a second time.
Democrats could also use an impeachment trial to push through a vote blocking Trump from running for office again.
Rather than a two-thirds vote, a simple Senate majority is needed to disqualify Trump from future office. There is disagreement among legal experts as to whether a conviction on an impeachment charge would be needed before a disqualification vote. A different part of the Constitution, the 14th Amendment, also provides a procedure for disqualifying Trump from future office with a simple majority of both chambers.
Donald Trump impeachment session: What happened so farThe New York Times reported that the Republican majority leader of the U.S. Senate, Mitch McConnell, was said to be pleased about the Democratic impeachment push, suggesting Trump's party was looking to move on from him after the attack on Congress.
McConnell believes the impeachment effort will make it easier to purge Trump from the party, the Times said.
"I don't think you would have a hard time finding 17 Republicans to convict" with a tightly drawn article of impeachment, a former Senate Republican leadership aide told Reuters. "I think for McConnell, there's a very strong impulse for this (the Capitol assault) not to define the party."
McConnell has said no trial could begin until the chamber returns from its recess on Jan. 19.
Donald Trump impeachment session: What happened so far
House Republicans who opposed the impeachment drive argued Democrats were going too far, as Trump was on the verge of leaving office.
"This is scary where this goes, because this is about more than about impeaching the president of the United States. This is about cancelling the president and cancelling all the people you guys disagree with," said Republican Representative Jim Jordan, a leading Trump ally when the president was impeached in 2019 after encouraging the government of Ukraine to dig up political dirt on Biden.
Mike Pence Refuses To Remove Donald Trump
Democrats moved forward on an impeachment vote after a effort to persuade Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to remove Trump was rejected by Pence on Tuesday evening.
"I do not believe that such a course of action is in the best interest of our Nation or consistent with our Constitution," Pence said in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Despite the letter, the House passed a resolution formally calling on Pence to act. The final vote was 223-205 in favor.
Totally Appropriate: Trump In First Appearance After Riots
In his first public appearance since last Wednesday's riot, Trump showed no contrition on Tuesday for his speech, in which he repeated his false claim that President-elect Joe Biden's victory was illegitimate. Biden will be sworn in as president on Jan. 20.
"What I said was totally appropriate," Trump told reporters on Tuesday in his first public foray since the assault on the Capitol.
At a meeting to set the rules for Wednesday's impeachment vote, Democratic Representative David Cicilline told the House Rules Committee that the impeachment drive had the support of 217 lawmakers - enough to impeach Trump
Donald Trump impeachment session: Who are VotingWith at least five Republicans joining their push to impeach President Donald Trump over the storming of the U.S. Capitol, Democrats in the House of Representatives stood poised for a history-making vote to try to remove the president from office.
Three other Republican House members, John Katko, Adam Kinzinger and Fred Upton, said they would also vote for impeachment.
Republican leaders in the House did not urge their members to vote against impeaching Trump, saying it was a matter of individual conscience.