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Democrats push ahead with impeachment charge after Capitol attack

Economy
12 January 2021 16:36 (AEST)
U.S. President Donald Trump.

Source: ABC News

Democrats will push ahead with trying to impeach U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in last week’s attack on the Capitol Building.

The article of impeachment accuses Trump of inciting violence against the U.S. Government following the deadly riot on Wednesday local time.

It also accuses of him of making “false statements asserting that the Presidential election results were the product of widespread fraud.”

Impeachment or 25th Amendment?

The article will be voted on in the House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Dems, on Wednesday — unless Vice President Mike Pence invokes the 25th Amendment.

Pence is unlikely to act though, as Republicans have already voted down a separate resolution put forward by the Democrats calling on the VP to invoke the 25th and take over as President.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said the rejection by the Republicans essentially enables “the President’s unhinged, unstable and deranged acts of sedition to continue.”

“Their complicity endangers America, erodes our Democracy, and it must end,” she added.

“As our next step, we will move forward with bringing impeachment legislation to the Floor.  The President’s threat to America is urgent, and so too will be our action,” Pelosi concluded.

The impeachment will likely clear the House and head to the Senate, however, Senators aren’t sitting again until January 19 — one day before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration occurs and Trump’s tenure comes to an end.

At that point, it is likely Republicans would vote down the article, as they have control of the Senate.

Emergency action

News of the impeachment charge comes as President Trump recently issued a 13-day “emergency” across Washington D.C. amid more threats of insurrection.

The order from Trump allows federal agencies to used to keep the Capitol safe over the next two weeks if fighting breaks out over Biden’s inauguration.

The FBI has warned armed protests are being planned across the U.S. by Trump extremists, according to a leaked internal memo.

The agency also warned there may be retaliatory action if the President is impeached or removed from office early.

“The FBI received information about an identified armed group intending to travel to Washington, D.C. on January 16,” the bulletin read.

“They have warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment, a huge uprising will occur,” the memo added.

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