The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump on Wednesday, marking the second time the chamber impeached the president — this time with just a week left in his term.
In a vote of 232 to 197, House lawmakers passed the resolution accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, despite Trump repeating multiple calls for peace and “no violence.”
All Democrats voted in favor, along with 10 Republicans: Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (OH), Tom Rice (SC), Dan Newhouse (WA), Peter Meijer (MI), Adam Kinzinger (IL), John Katko (NY), Liz Cheney (WY), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA), Fred Upton (MI), and David Valadao (CA) all voted to impeach.
“President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government,” the document reads. “He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He therefore betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.”
The resolution claims Trump “demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. Donald John Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.”
The vote followed more than three hours of debate on Wednesday afternoon.
In their debate on Wednesday, Democrat lawmakers repeated the accusation that Trump was responsible for calling up, organizing, and deploying protesters in the “Stop the Steal” rally, as well as the violent group that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. Republicans insisted that Democrats were seeking to “cancel” the president.
Last Wednesday, Trump had tweeted, “I am asking everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”
Trump had released several tweets asking for peace, along with a video requesting demonstrators leave peacefully and return to their homes. The posts were later removed and Trump’s Twitter account later banned.
A group of violent protesters presumed to be attending the “Stop the Steal” rally overtook barriers and police guarding the Capitol building, some violently attacking police with various objects, including a fire extinguisher.
Protesters broke windows and breached the building, entering the Congressional chambers and some lawmakers’ offices.
The DOJ charged at least 70 people for criminal acts on that day, and “hundreds” more are expected to be charged. The FBI is reviewing more than 100,000 pieces of evidence.
Trump repeated calls for peace on Tuesday, telling reporters, “We want no violence. Never violence. We want absolutely no violence,” Trump said.
Then again on Wednesday, he released a statement saying, “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. I call on ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You.”
Wednesday’s impeachment vote took place the day after the House passed a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to declare Trump “incapable of executing the duties of his office, and to immediately exercise powers as acting president.”
The resolution gave Pence 24 hours to act, after which, Democrats said they would vote on the impeachment articles. However, Pence sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Tuesday night in which he said he would not take the measure.
In his letter, reported by CNN, Pence said the 25th Amendment “is not a means of punishment or usurpation” and invoking it would “set a terrible precedent.” He added, “I do not believe that such a course of action is in the best interest of our Nation or consistent with our Constitution.”
