House expects to vote on impeaching Trump
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Washington – Democrats in the U.S. House took steps Monday to once again try to remove President Donald Trump from office, introducing a single article of impeachment as well as a resolution that would ask Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, thereby displacing Trump and assuming power over the nation’s executive branch.
The resolution, seen as a procedural step before the House moves to consider impeachment, immediately drew an objection from House Republicans. The chamber then went into recess until Tuesday, and it’s expected the 25th Amendment resolution will go before the full House for a vote later this week.
Reports suggest Pence is not inclined to invoke the 25th Amendment, even if the resolution ultimately passes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said in that scenario, the House would move forward with impeaching the president this week over the Jan. 6 events that led to the U.S. Capitol being breached by crowds of Trump supporters.
An impeachment vote is seen as likely to succeed in the Democrat-controlled House, which would make Trump the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. Less certain is the outcome in the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans but due to change hands. Even after Democrats take control – when Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, the winners of last week’s Georgia runoffs, are sworn in – it’s considered unlikely the supermajority needed to actually remove the president would materialize.
The Capitol incursion caused five deaths and led to members of Congress fleeing the House and Senate chambers – interrupting the process of recording the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election. Critics of Trump argue his remarks at a “Stop the Steal” rally earlier in the day sparked the events that took place at the Capitol.
If the 25th Amendment was invoked, Pence would take over as acting president. Trump would be given an opportunity after several days to challenge the assertion he was incapable of performing his duties; if Pence again invoked the clause, the matter would be settled by Congress.
With President-elect Joe Biden due to be sworn in Jan. 20, some observers have questioned why Congress is spending its time trying to remove a president who will leave office in a little more than a week. Others have pointed to continued chatter online, by those who feel the Nov. 3 election was decided fraudulently, seeking to interfere with the inauguration ceremony and prevent Biden from becoming president. Still more expressed concern Trump might misuse his pardon powers on his own behalf, to benefit his close friends and allies, or even on behalf of the individuals who stormed the Capitol.
Trump was impeached in December 2019 over allegations he improperly sought to pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Biden. The Senate voted in February 2020 to acquit Trump without hearing any additional witnesses.
U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C. of Hendersonville), who represents Cherokee and surrounding counties, spoke at the rally before Trump on Jan. 6. He issued a statement on Facebook condemning the violence Thursday.
“Last night, I spoke out in defense of our Constitution and a fair electoral process. I also unequivocally denounced the violence that took place in our nation’s capitol, it wasn’t patriotism it was thuggery. We are all Americans. What unites us is greater than what divides us. As Americans we cannot tolerate violence,” Cawthorn wrote.
“Peacefully protesting is the only form of protesting that true constitutional conservatives should stand for. We are the party that backs the blue. We are NOT the party that burns businesses or lays siege at the seat of American democracy.
“I represent the people of western North Carolina, I do NOT represent those who espouse violence. Violent acts from the left and right are both equally vile, and I denounce both.
“When I promised to fight for you in D.C. you elected me with the knowledge that this battle would not be fought with swords or shields, but with power, love and a sound mind. The God of heaven is our refuge, not the Glock.”
Wayne Goodwin, chairman of the N.C. Democratic Party, provided a written and video statement on Jan. 6 condemning the “violence and attempted coup” at the Capitol earlier that day. He said it was sparked by Trump and encouraged by N.C. Republican members of Congress, including Cawthorn.
He called on the Republican Party “to clean up this mess.”
The event hit pretty close to home as well. A Hiawassee, Ga., man who took part at the Capitol faces federal charges amid allegations that he also threatened the life of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to a release.
The U.S. Department of Justice says Cleveland Grover Meredith, a former resident of Hayesville, is among a growing number of individuals facing federal charges in the riot, while CNN reports that the man also faces weapons charges in the case.
Investigators say prior to last week, Meredith sent a text message where he threatened to put “a bullet in [Pelosi’s] noggin on Live TV,” and another saying he was heading to Washington with armor-piercing bullets. CNN says a search of Meredith’s truck and trailer revealed an assault rifle, handguns and “hundreds of rounds of ammunition.”
Bennie Jo McKinnon, chair of the Cherokee County Republican Party, and her husband, former county commissioner C.B. McKinnon, both attended the rally in Washington on Jan. 6, posting multiple photos on Facebook. They declined to comment on the day’s events.
The Cherokee County Democratic Party Executive Board released a statement Monday.
“We are saddened that our fellow Americans have disregarded our fair and free election results. Instead they’ve been persuaded by the sitting president to rebel against an honest outcome. Could these citizens, responding as terrorists, not see that by being asked to overthrow an election, that they were also being asked to destroy our very own democracy?” the statement reads.
“It is this destruction that Democrats have been fearing since Trump took office. Five years of his lies, bullying, prejudice and hate have festered into what transpired on Jan. 6. It is imperative that these perpetrators be prosecuted. Acts of sedition against our nation cannot be tolerated by civilians or elected officials.
“Cherokee County neighbors, we can only hope to overcome the hatred and divisiveness and somehow unite our great country again. Let us seek truth and kindness. Together we are one great nation, divided a sorry state.”
Gov. Roy Cooper was providing a Coronavirus Task Force update with the media as the Capitol was attacked. He shared his thoughts on social media about 90 minutes after completing the briefing.
“The peaceful transition of power is the hallmark of our democracy,” Cooper wrote. “Today’s terrorism is not who we are. This attack on our country must be overcome. America is better than this.”
A day later, Cooper was calling for Trump to resign or be removed from office. “The president has betrayed our country and is therefore unfit to lead it,” he wrote.
The Cherokee Scout contributed to this report.