Donald Trump impeachment: US House debates charge of ‘incitement of insurrection’

In a largely symbolic debate, the US House of Representatives on Wednesday began proceedings to impeach President Donald Trump, news agency AFP reported. A vote in the Democratic-controlled House is expected to go against Trump, who would become the first US President to be impeached twice.

The vote will follow Vice President Mike Pence’s refusal to invoke the 25th Amendment, which would have stripped Trump of his powers. The House on Tuesday had voted 223 to 205 to call on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment.

Also read: FBI files over 160 cases against individuals who attacked US Capitol on January 6

In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Pence said he did not believe “such a course of action is in the best interest of our nation or consistent with our constitution,” The Guardian reported. He further warned that efforts to remove Trump from office risked “further divide and inflame the passions of the moment.”

Speaking on the floor of the House on Tuesday, Pelosi railed against Trump over January 6 attack on the US Capitol, in which five people were killed.

“For days, he urged supporters to come to Washington for the insurrection. Wednesday (Jan 6) morning he participated in a rally to encourage the rioters to march on the Capitol and fight. And, not only did he urge people to march on the Capitol and fight, he further fanned the flames and he and his family cheered and celebrated the desecration of the Capitol,” Pelosi said, PTI reported.

On the day of the attack, Trump addressed a rally near the White House. “If you don’t fight like hell,” Trump said, “you’re not going to have a country any more.”

Also read: YouTube suspends Donald Trump’s channel, removes video citing ‘potential of violence’

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump lashed out at the Democrats for their attempts to impeach him. 

“The 25th amendment is of zero risk to me but will come back to haunt Joe Biden and the Biden administration,” Trump said, The Guardian reported.

The House of Representatives first impeached Trump on December 18, 2019, over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate, however, acquitted him in February, paving the way for him to continue discharging his presidential duties.