Donald Trump Impeachment Live Updates: Following the proceedings, Trump released a video unequivocally condemning last week’s violence, but made no mention of his impeachment.
Donald Trump Impeachment Live Updates: United States President Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for a historic second time Wednesday. Trump was charged with “incitement of insurrection”, a week after the riot at Capitol Hill.
With the Capitol secured by armed National Guard troops inside and out, the House voted 232-197 to impeach Trump. Ten Republicans joined Democrats in saying Trump needed to be held accountable, and warned ominously of a “clear and present danger” if Congress should leave him unchecked before president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration January 20.
Trump’s fiery speech at a rally just before the January 6 riot is at the centre of the impeachment charge against him. At least five people died in the violence that ensued as pro-Trump protestors breached barricades and advanced into the halls of the Capitol building, smashing windows and brawling with police officers.
Trump is the only US president to be impeached twice. Following the proceedings, Trump released a video unequivocally condemning last week’s violence, but made no mention of his impeachment.
The next step is for the Senate to hold a trial and determine Trump’s guilt. A two-thirds majority will be required in the upper house to remove the president. However, the Senate is unlikely to meet before January 19, when it returns from recess. This means the trial will begin after Trump leaves office on January 20. Despite the timing, Democrats argue that to let Trump’s offences go would set a dangerous precedent for future presidents.
US President Donald Trump has been impeached by the House a week after the Capitol Hill siege; the House voted 232-197, with 10 Republicans joining the Democrats; Trump is the first president to be impeached twice. Read live updates below
18:38 (IST)14 JAN 2021
What is Section 230: The internet law used to ban Trump from Twitter
Soon after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, his social media accounts were suspended by Big Tech companies like Twitter and Facebook for his alleged role in inciting violence and spreading misinformation. The incident spurred a renewed debate about Section 230 of the US’ Communications Decency Act — the controversial piece of internet legislation that permitted these tech companies to flex their powers and ban the president in the first place.
Over the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed. President Trump, himself, has been a vocal critic of the law, which shields tech companies from being held accountable for what users post online. President-elect Joe Biden, too, has criticised the law and even proposed revoking it completely.
But while the law is widely criticised, most agree that it is essential for ensuring a relatively free, safe and open internet.
Rahel Philipose explains what is Section 230
18:31 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Jack Dorsey: Trump Twitter ban is ‘right’ but ‘dangerous’
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has defended his company’s unprecedented decision to permanently suspend US President Donald Trump from the popular social media site, but warned that it could set a “dangerous precedent” and reflective of the company’s failure “to promote healthy conversation” across its platforms.
Dorsey broke his silence since the company’s major decision in a series of tweets on Wednesday. “I do not celebrate or feel pride in our having to ban @realDonaldTrump from Twitter, or how we got here. After a clear warning we’d take this action, we made a decision with the best information we had based on threats to physical safety both on and off Twitter. Was this correct”,” Dorsey said.
“I believe this was the right decision for Twitter. We faced an extraordinary and untenable circumstance, forcing us to focus all of our actions on public safety. Offline harm as a result of online speech is demonstrably real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all,” he said. (PTI)
17:31 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Biden to unveil plan to pump $1.5 trillion into pandemic-hit economy
US President-elect Joe Biden will unveil a stimulus package proposal on Thursday designed to jump-start the economy during the coronavirus pandemic with an economic lifeline that could exceed $1.5 trillion and help minority communities.
The stimulus package has a price tag above $1.5 trillion and includes a commitment for $1,400 stimulus checks, according to a source familiar with the proposal, and Biden is expected to commit to partner with private companies to increase the number of Americans getting vaccinated.
A significant portion of the additional financial resources will be dedicated to minority communities. “I think you will see a real emphasis on these underserved communities, where there is a lot of hard work to do,” said another transition official.
Biden plans to introduce his package during a prime-time address on Thursday evening, underscoring the seriousness of the topic, but he will have to compete for attention with the political drama in Washington. (Reuters)
16:38 (IST)14 JAN 2021
A look at all the US Presidents who have been impeached so far
The US House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to make Donald Trump the first US President ever to be impeached twice, formally charging him for inciting an insurrection just a week after an armed an angry mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol.
While Trump is the first US President to be impeached twice, he is most certainly not the first to face impeachment proceedings in the country’s history.
Check the full list of US Presidents who have been impeached so far here.
16:21 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Nancy Pelosi makes a statement with her outfit
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, signed the article of impeachment against President Donald Trump that her chamber had passed earlier in the day, Reuters reported. On the day, Pelosi was seen wearing the same dress she had back in 2019, on a similar occasion: Trump’s impeachment. This time the outfit, a sharp two-piece skirt suit, was teamed with a floral mask.
A report in The People confirms that it indeed is the same outfit except for this time the brooch was missing. People on social media were quick to notice, and soon many hailed it as the “impeachment outfit”.
“I’m aware this could not be more beside the point but can we for one second recognise Nancy Pelosi’s absolute brilliance when it comes to messaging through clothing? Like if I had to design an outfit in a movie for a Speaker to wear for Impeachment, this would be it,” one user wrote. While another added, “Nancy pelosi has an impeachment outfit. I feel like I need one too.”
13:08 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Trump has been impeached a second time. What happens next?
The House of Representatives has impeached Donald Trump for a historic second time. What happens next? The next step is for the Senate, the upper house, to hold a trial to determine Trump’s guilt. A two-thirds majority is required to convict him, or at least 17 Republicans need to join Democrats. The trial is unlikely to begin before January 19, when the Senate returns from recess, and a day before Trump is to demit office.
11:46 (IST)14 JAN 2021
These are the Republicans who supported impeaching Donald Trump
10 Republicans supported the House House vote to formally charge President Donald Trump with inciting violence against the government of the United States. This is a change from 2019, when no Republican favoured the first impeachment proceedings against Trump.
09:22 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Watch: The moment Trump was impeached for a historic second time by House
07:52 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Pressure mounts on Republicans to buck Trump amid impeachment battle
There were 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump, which is the largest number ever to cast such a vote against a president of the same party. But, there is pressure mounting on others in the party over their ties with Trump. Several businesses, from Amazon to Walmart, have already pledged to cut off funds to Republicans who opposed certifying the victory of President-elect Joe Biden.
07:25 (IST)14 JAN 2021
n video after impeachment, Donald Trump condemns Capitol Hill violence
In a video taken at the Oval office after he was impeached, President Donald Trump Thursday unequivocally condemned the violence at Capitol Hill. “Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement,” he said. “The incursion of the US Capitol struck at the very heart of our Republic. It angered and appalled millions of Americans across the political spectrum. I want to be very clear. I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week.” He made no mention of the impeachment proceedings.
07:10 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Explained: Why impeach Donald Trump now?
In the process of impeachment, members of the House consider whether to impeach the president, and members of the Senate consider whether to remove him, holding a trial in which senators act as the jury. While the House vote requires only a simple majority of lawmakers to agree the president has committed high crimes and misdemeanors; the Senate vote requires a two-thirds majority.
However, if the Senate trial cannot begin until January 19, Trump’s final full day in office, then why impeach him now? This would mean any conviction would almost certainly not be completed until after he leaves the White House.
“Is there little time left?” Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the majority leader, said during the debate. “Yes. But it is never too late to do the right thing.” Read this explainer from The New York Times
06:14 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Trump condemns Capitol Hill violence in video that does not mention impeachment
President Donald Trump released a video on Twitter on Wednesday evening where he did not mention impeachment at the same time House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was signing the article of impeachment against him that her chamber had passed earlier in the day, Reuters reported.
Trump, instead, focused his remarks on the violence at the Capitol on Jan 6, which led to the House of Representatives to impeach him for incitement of insurrection, saying, ‘I want to be very clear, I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week. Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement.’
The article now will go to the Senate for an impeachment trial.
05:27 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Next Trump trial will not start until next week: Mitch McConnell
President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate will not begin until next week, outgoing Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday, setting the stage for a partisan brawl in President-elect Joe Biden’s first days in office, the Associated Press reported.
“Even if the Senate process were to begin this week and move promptly, no final verdict would be reached until after President Trump had left office. This is not a decision I am making; it is a fact,” McConnell said in a statement.
McConnell, who loses his position as majority leader when Biden is sworn in on Jan. 20, issued his statement shortly after the House of Representatives voted 232-197 to make Trump the first U.S. president ever to be impeached twice, a week after a violent mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol.
03:29 (IST)14 JAN 2021
President Donald Trump impeached by US House for incitement of insurrection at Capitol
The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to make Donald Trump the first U.S. president ever to be impeached twice, formally charging him in his waning days in power with inciting an insurrection just a week after a violent mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol.
The vote in the Democratic-controlled House was 232-197 following a deadly assault on American democracy, with 10 Republicans joining the Democrats in backing impeachment.
03:00 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Majority of House members vote for 2nd impeachment of Donald Trump
A majority of the US House has voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, just a week after he encouraged loyalists to “fight like hell” against election results — a speech that was followed by a mob of his supporters storming the U.S. Capitol, the Associated Press reported.
The House vote on an article of impeachment for “incitement of insurrection” was still underway Wednesday afternoon.
During debate before the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked Republicans and Democrats to “search their souls.” Trump would be the first American president to be impeached twice.
Trump “must go,” Pelosi said. “He is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”
02:16 (IST)14 JAN 2021
US Senate’s McConnell hasn’t decided on how he will vote on Trump’s impeachment
US Senate Majority Leader McConnell, a Republican, Wednesday said he has not made a final decision on how he will vote on the impeachment of President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.
“I have not made a final decision on how I will vote,” McConnell said in a memo to his fellow Republicans, adding that
he will listen to legal arguments presented to Senate after the House votes to impeach Trump.
01:24 (IST)14 JAN 2021
NYC to terminate Trump contracts after Capitol insurrection
New York City will terminate business contracts with President Donald Trump after last week’s insurrection at the US Capitol, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday. The Trump Organisation is under city contract to operate the two ice rinks and a carousel in Central Park as well as a golf course in the Bronx.
The Trump Organisation profits about $17 million a year from those sites, de Blasio said. “I’m here to announce that the city of New York is severing all contracts with the Trump Organization,” de Blasio said.
01:06 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Report: Companies donated $170mn to GOP election objectors
Corporations and industry groups have donated at least USD 170 million in recent years to Republicans who rejected President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump, according to a new report by a government watchdog group.
The report by Public Citizen examines corporate and trade association contributions made since the 2016 election cycle to the 147 members of Congress who, at Trump’s behest, last week objected to the certification of November’s election. Giving by such trade groups and corporate PACs has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of the deadly insurrection by Trump supporters, who stormed the Capitol to stop the vote.
Many companies have since said they will avoid making donations to members of the House and Senate who voted to overturn Biden’s win. Other companies have temporarily postponed political giving to both political parties. The amount of giving by corporate PACs and trade groups to individual candidates is limited to USD 5,000 per candidate each year, thus making up a small portion of each candidate’s overall cash haul. (AP)
00:37 (IST)14 JAN 2021
‘Not what I stand for’: Trump calls for ‘no violence, no vandalism’
President Donald Trump has issued a statement, urging for there to be “no violence, no lawbreaking and no vandalism of any kind”, Trump is facing a historic second impeachment, days after an angry mob of his supporters stormed Capitol Hill and clashed with police.
00:33 (IST)14 JAN 2021
20,000 national guards with lethal weapons being deployed in Washington DC
The Pentagon is deploying 20,000 National Guards with lethal weapons here, a week ahead of the inauguration, to prevent any violence as experienced on January 6, with intelligence agencies receiving information about move to create violence and chaos across the country.
As many as 15,000 have already been deployed in and around the Capitol Hill and another 5,000 would be added around the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. This is now twice the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
As US House of Representatives started the impeachment proceedings against Trump, security was tightened in and around the Capitol Hill.
Not only metal detectors were installed, but also eight-feet high metal walls were erected overnight around the Capitol Hill.
00:26 (IST)14 JAN 2021
These businesses and institutions are cutting ties with Donald Trump
Much in the same way that social media companies have banished Trump from their platforms, corporations, universities and campaign contributors have quickly moved to dissociate themselves from the president’s efforts to overturn the election. These include The PGA of America, The New York State Bar Association, Technology Platforms, Financial Institutions, and more.
00:21 (IST)14 JAN 2021
Several House Republicans join Donald Trump impeachment push
At least four Republicans have said they would join Democrats in voting to impeach President Donald Trump over the attack on the US Capitol, as Vice President Mike Pence rejected calls to use a constitutional maneuver to oust him.
With eight days remaining in Trump’s term in office, the House of Representatives are on the verge to pass an article of impeachment accusing the Republican of inciting insurrection in a speech to his followers last week before a mob of them stormed the Capitol, leaving five dead.
That would trigger a trial in the still Republican-controlled Senate, although it was unclear if enough time or political appetite remained to push Trump from office.
00:12 (IST)14 JAN 2021
We know that he incited the insurrection, he must go: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Trump impeachment debate
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi started the House debate over the article of impeachment against outgoing President Donald Trump. “We know that the President of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common country. He must go, he is a clear & present danger to the nation that we all love,” she said.
00:06 (IST)14 JAN 2021
GOP lawmaker expects more Republicans to impeach Trump
Republican Rep Adam Kinzinger is predicting more Republicans will join him in voting to impeach President Donald Trump. The House is set to vote Wednesday afternoon on impeaching Trump for a second time, accusing him of rallying a violent mob of supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol last week.
“If that isn’t an impeachable offense,” Kinzinger said,” I don’t know what is.” Several other Republicans are backing impeachment, including No 3 GOP leader Liz Cheney.
23:52 (IST)13 JAN 2021
Trump will sit in dustbins of American history, says Congressman Ami Bera
Indian-American Congressman Dr Ami Bera said on Wednesday that he will vote to impeach outgoing President Donald Trump, who “will sit in the dustbins” of the American history for his role in inciting insurrection against the great country.
“The President will sit in the dustbins of American history for his role in inciting insurrection against our great country. I will vote to impeach President Trump,” Dr Bera said on the floor of the US House of Representatives as it started the impeachment proceedings against Trump.
In an stinging attack on Trump, as the House started impeachment proceedings against him, the Indian American Congressman said that January 6th was a dark day in American history. (PTI)
23:36 (IST)13 JAN 2021
‘Incitement of insurrection’ impeachment charge against Donald Trump
Congressman McGovern brought to the House Floor H. Res. 24, the article of impeachment against US President Donald Trump. The article charges the president with ‘Incitement of Insurrection’ for his actions on January 6, 2021, when he delivered a speech inciting his supporters to lay siege to the Capitol.
“Every moment Donald Trump is in the White House, our nation, our freedom, is in danger. He must be held to account for the attack on our capitol that he organised and incited. I solemnly urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying article,” McGovern said on floor of US House of Representatives.
US President Donald Trump’s relentless efforts to reverse the results of the 2020 election took a dangerous turn on January 6, when an armed and angry mob of his supporters stormed Capitol Hill and clashed with police just as Congress convened to validate Joe Biden’s presidential win.
Trump’s fiery speech at a rally just before the Jan. 6 riot is at the center of the impeachment charge against him. A woman was fatally shot in the violence that ensued as pro-Trump protestors breached barricades and advanced into the halls of the Capitol building, smashing windows and brawled with police officers in what is widely being considered one of the worst security breaches in US history.
The pandemonium appears to have deepened the divide within the Republican Party, with several leaders pointing a finger at Trump for inciting violence by urging his supporters to reject the results of the presidential election.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi started the House debate over the article of impeachment against the outgoing President. “We know that the President of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common country. He must go, he is a clear & present danger to the nation that we all love,” she said.
The House had approved a resolution late Tuesday calling on Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to declare the president unable to serve, which Pence opposed, leaving lawmakers with impeachment as their only option to remove Trump from office before Jan. 20, when President-elect Joe Biden is set to be sworn in as president. At least four Republicans, including a member of the House leadership have said they would vote to impeach Trump for urging supporters to march on the Capitol.
