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House Democrats Reportedly Set To Introduce Articles Of Impeachment Monday Against Trump

This article is more than 3 years old.
Updated Jan 8, 2021, 06:52pm EST

Topline

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she has directed lawmakers to be “prepared to move forward” with impeachment and Democrats are expected to formally introduce articles of impeachment Monday, according to multiple reports, as House Democrats move quickly to punish President Donald Trump for inciting his supporters’ siege of the U.S. Capitol building in the waning days before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.

Key Facts

Though Pelosi did not confirm an impeachment vote would be coming, the speaker said in a statement Friday the House “will preserve every option” to remove Trump from office if he does not voluntarily resign, “including the 25th Amendment, a motion to impeach or a privileged resolution for impeachment.”

According to a draft of the articles of impeachment expected to be introduced Monday, which Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) shared on Twitter Friday, the House will bring one charge of impeachment against Trump for “incitement of insurrection,” with Lieu and Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) leading the effort.

Assistant House Speaker Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) told CNN Friday impeachment could come to the House floor for a vote “as early as mid-next week,” though Democrats cited by Politico suggested the vote could be even sooner.

Pelosi previously told reporters Thursday impeachment was “urgent” and “an emergency of the highest magnitude,” and said in a letter to colleagues Friday that if Trump doesn’t resign “willingly and imminently, the Congress will proceed with our action.”

Once an official resolution on impeachment has been offered, a vote would take place within 48 hours, CNN notes, potentially teeing a vote up by Wednesday if articles are introduced Monday.

Crucial Quote

Trump “gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government,” the draft article of impeachment reads. “He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and imperiled a coordinate branch of government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.”

Tangent

President-elect Joe Biden did not take a position on whether Trump should be impeached during a press conference Friday, saying he would instead leave the issue up to Congress to decide. “That's a decision for the Congress to make. I'm focused on my job,” Biden said, noting he would speak with congressional leadership later on Friday.

Key Background

Trump’s handling of Wednesday’s seizure of the U.S. Capitol building by a mob of the president’s supporters has been roundly criticized by both parties, spurring a wave of White House resignations, reported discussions of invoking the 25th Amendment among his own Cabinet members and denouncements by longtime allies like former U.S. Attorney General William Barr. “Orchestrating a mob to pressure Congress is inexcusable,” Barr told the Associated Press Thursday, while former White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah told CNN Friday Trump should resign over his response to Wednesday’s events. Democrats’ decision to push forward with impeachment comes as hopes of removing the president through the 25th Amendment have appeared to dim, as reports suggest Pence is opposed to the effort.

What To Watch For

If the House does impeach Trump, it’s unclear whether the Senate would be able to hold a vote in time to potentially remove Trump from office. The Senate’s efforts could instead focus on blocking Trump from trying to hold elected office again in the future, which Politico notes could garner support from Republicans with 2024 ambitions. While it still remains unlikely that Senate Republicans would vote against Trump, there were some signs of potential opposition Friday, with Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) telling CBS Friday he would “consider” the House’s articles of impeachment.

Further Reading

House Democrats eye quick impeachment vote if Pence rebuffs attempt to remove Trump from office (CNN)

Trump Removal Effort Live Coverage: Pence Reportedly Opposes Invoking 25th Amendment (Forbes)

Dozens Of House Democrats Call For Trump’s Removal Over Capitol Breach (Forbes)

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