US Vice President
Mike Pence on Tuesday rejected the Democrats’ call of invoking the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution to remove Donald Trump on the grounds of being ‘unfit to discharge his duties’, reports AFP.

“I do not believe that such a course of action is in the best interest of our nation or consistent with our Constitution,” he wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, hours before the House was to vote on a measure calling on him to initiate the 25th Amendment process or risk an impeachment vote against Trump.

“Under our Constitution, the 25th Amendment is not a means of punishment or usurpation. Invoking the 25th Amendment in such a manner would set a terrible precedent,” Pence added.

Adding that the Impeachment would only aggravate the chaos already existing in the country, VP Pence wrote “I urge you and every member of Congress to avoid actions that would further divide and inflame the passions of the moment. Work with us to lower the temperature and unite our country as we prepare to inaugurate President-elect Joe Biden as the next President of the United States. I pledge to you that I will continue to do my part to work in good faith with the incoming administration to ensure an orderly transition of power.”

Now with Vice President’s denial to invoke the 25th Amendment, the decks are now clear for the Democrats to vote on impeachment proceedings in the House and then the US Senate.

The article of impeachment charges Trump with ‘incitement of insurrection’ for his irresponsible remarks and actions on January 6 that led to the killing of five people, including an officer of the US Capitol Police, during the US Capitol violence.

The President’s impeachment proceedings were initiated by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who in a letter to her colleagues on Sunday, asserted that she would push ahead with efforts to impeach President Donald Trump from office even during the final days of his administration.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives will vote on the resolution to impeach outgoing President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, top Republicans including Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger and John Katko announced their open support to the Impeachment resolution.

This attempt marks Trump’s second impeachment proceedings in the tenure of 4 years as President after December 2019, when the House of Representatives approved articles of impeachment on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.