Donald Trump impeached for the second time: as it happened

History has been made

Trump has become the first US president in history to be impeached twice. His most recent impeachment had more bipartisan support with 10 Republican House members voting with Democrats to impeach.

The Senate will now need to decide whether to convict Trump. The Senate will be divided 50-50 when Senators-elect Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock are sworn in. Convict will require 67 Senators to vote in favor.

Comey thinks Biden should pardon Trump

In a BBC interview ex-FBI Director James Comey suggested that Joe Biden should consider pardoning Trump "as a way to heal the country and get us to focus on things that matter over the next four years." 

A presidential pardon would only protect Trump from any federal criminal charges, not state level crimes. Currently Trump is under investigation for potential crimes in New York related to his business dealings. 

Words matter 

Since the violent and deadly assault on the US Capitol by a mob incited by President Trump, two visions of what was said by Trump have come out. His supporters have tried to play down the language he used and highlight sections of his speech to the soon-to-be rioters distorting what he said.  

As the House debated impeaching Trump for a second time perhaps one of the most galling examples came from Representative Guy Reschenthaler saying “At his rally, President Trump urged attendees to, quote, unquote, peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. There was no mention of violence, let alone calls to action.” 

However during his speech Trump called on the assembled crowd to “Fight like hell and if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” Adding  “So we’re going to, we’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue... and we’re going to the Capitol.”  

For the full transcript click here. 

Donald Trump Impeachment

Which Republicans supported Trump’s impeachment?

GOP members turn on Trump

With seven days until the official handover of power to Joe Biden, the House of Representatives has made Trump the only president to be impeached twice. Trump has had the GOP under his control for four years but now 10 Republicans joined the Democrats in impeaching Trump.

GOP member promises to impeach Biden 

The GOP has made many accusations that the Democrats have wanted to impeach President Trump since Day 1 of his presidency. Admittedly Trump’s presidency got off to a rocky start, immersed in allegations of his campaign colluding with Russia,six people associated with the Trump campaign were found guilty of related crimes. A reminder that before the 2016 election Republicans were already threatening to impeach Hillary Clinton. 

Now that Trump has been impeached again Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has promised NewsMax, the right-wing media outlet, that she will introduce article of impeachment for Biden on 21 January.

Trumps calls for unity 

Trump in his clearest condemnation of the events of last week and planned subversive actions in the coming weeks released a five-minute video after being impeached by the House 232-197, with the support of 10 GOP members. The President could face legal responsibility for his incendiary rhetoric that led to a mob attacking the US Capitol. Trump up until now has not shown contrition for the events of last week. 

In his message President Trump called on all Americans “to overcome the passions of the moment and join together as one American people to move forward together.” 

In the video he talks about how over the past year “we have seen political violence spiral out of control. We have seen too many riots, too many mobs, too many acts of intimidation and destruction. It must stop. Whether you are on the right, or on the left, a Democrat or Republican. There is never a justification for violence. No excuses. no exceptions.” 

He disavowed those who participated in violence saying that “it goes against everything I believe in,” and that no supporter of his movement would engage in such activities. 

He also criticized the “censor, cancelling and blacklisting of our fellow citizens.” YouTube banned his personal channel for seven days due to concerns about the ongoing potential for violence along with several other social media sites, along with those of other right-wing and QAnon accounts.  

Trump speaks after impeachment

Swalwell needs to convince 17 GOP Senators 

Eric Swalwell will be one of the nine House impeachment managers who will need to sway at least 17 Republican Senators to convict President Trump after being impeached for a second time. The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday 232-197, with 10 Republicans joining all Democrats to hold the president responsible for the deadly riot by Trump supporters who invaded the US Capitol.

Donald Trump has deservedly become the first president in American history to bear the stain of impeachment twice over. The Senate is required to act and will proceed with his trial and hold a vote on his conviction. 

Trump conviction will wait 

Current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has issued a statement on the House impeaching President Trump.  

He states “There is simply no chance that a fair or serious trial could conclude before President-elect Biden is sworn in next week.”  

Adding “In light of this reality, I believe it will best serve our nation if Congress and the executive branch spend the next seven days completely focused on facilitating a safe inauguration and an orderly transfer of power to the incoming Biden Administration.”

I should have spoken out sooner

Limited GOP stand against Trump

10 members of the Republican party in the House of Representatives voted "yes" to impeach President Trump. Trump becomes the first US President in history to be impeached twice.

Trump impeached again 

The House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump for a second time. 10 Republican House members  joined Democrats in impeaching Trump. The final count was 232-197. 

Insurrection guided tours? 

Representative Mikie Sherrill, Democrat of New Jersey, made accusations on Facebook without offering evidence that she knew of members of Congress who gave “reconnaissance” tours to rioters ahead of the attack. Sherrill and 30 lawmakers have requested an investigation into what she called “suspicious behavior” and access given to visitors to the Capitol complex the day before the riot. 

Several of Mr. Trump’s most ardent supporters, including Representatives Mo Brooks of Alabama and Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs have been accused of helping plan the 6 January rally that led to the violent attack on the Capitol. 

The Capitol Police Inspector General is opening an investigation into security breaches and any involvement by Capitol Police officers. The inspector general will suspend all other projects until the investigation is complete as per New York Times.

McConnell hasn't made a final decision

There has been much speculation about what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will do if the House impeaches President Donald Trump for a second time. Through his spokesman McConnell says that he hasn’t made up his mind yet, that he will listen to the legal arguments when presented to the Senate. 

That Senate may be one where he is no longer the Majority Leader, when Kamala Harris is sworn in as Vice President, power in the Senate will pass to the Democrats and Senator Chick Schumer will become the Senate Majority Leader.

Impeachable, but not this way

Republican Chip Roy: "The president of the United States deserves universal condemnation for what was clearly, in my opinion, impeachable conduct, pressuring the vice president to violate his oath to the Constitution."

But he then says he will not support the article as drafted.

US POLITICS

Donald Trump issues statement on reports of potential violence

White House calls for calm

While the House of Representatives have been debating whether or not to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting insurrection, the White House issued a statement on his behalf which called for ‘Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers’.

Critics have immediately called this too little, too late, similar to his comments about a peaceful transfer of power which was two months late.

Read the full statement:

Censored?

A lot of people have been pointing out the irony of wearing a “censored” mask while speaking on the House floor.

This debate is being broadcast live by multiple broadcast and cable news outlets and on the world wide web.

Newhouse confirms he'll vote 'yes'

GOP Rep. Newhouse of Washington announces he will vote to impeach President Trump, becoming the 6th GOP House member to back impeachment.

"Turning a blind eye to this brutal assault on our Republic is not an option."

Doggett declaration

"By impeaching him today, we not only demand accountability for President Trump’s gross misconduct but—more importantly—we declare to the next Trump-like, aspiring tyrant: Not in America.

"We love our democracy too much."

Nadler highlights racism

Rep. Jerry Nadler made his points to the House.

"We will bring the rioters to justice. Their accomplices in this house will be held responsible... But today we must focus on the gravest threat first: President Trump..."

"Racism played a direct role in this incitement."

The debate will last two hours before the vote takes place.

Pelosi points to Abe

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi began her speech to open the debate by quoting Abraham Lincoln.

She has also branded the US Capitol insurrectionists as "domestic terrorists."

The article is read to the House ahead of debate

“In his conduct while President of the United States — and in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, provide, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed — Donald John Trump engaged in high Crimes and Misdemeanors by inciting violence against the Government of the United States...

“Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. Donald John Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.”

Next up...Nancy Pelosi

House passes resolution to proceed with debate on impeachment in a 221-203 vote.

The House now debates the article for two hours and that will be followed by a final vote on impeachment later this afternoon.

Failed bid to amend debate rule

As the House continued to pre-debate the impeachment of Trump, Republicans failed in their attempt to amend the rule for debate. The vote was 221-205.

Next comes the vote on the rule itself, which appears to be going down party lines with no exceptions, and that will begin the debate on the article of impeachement itself. Stay tuned...

Is fear playing its part in the vote?

According to CNN's Special Correspondent, Jamie Gangel, the White House is putting a lot of pressure on members to hold the party line. That pressure has led to members saying that "they want to vote to impeach but they legitimately fear for their lives and their families’ lives."

This comes after Gangel reported on Tuesday that multiple House Republicans announced that they would support the impeachment of President Donald Trump for his role inciting last week's riot.

While the vast majority of House Republicans were expected to oppose the article of impeachment on Wednesday, there were predictions ranging anywhere from as many as 10 to even 20 or more Republicans who could vote to impeach, according to Republican sources.

House debate highlights

The arguments put forward today echoed those of Tuesday's rules session.

Rep. Jim Jordan was once again the most vocal in calling for people to vote against the impeachement of Donald Trump although the arguments he made seemed to be a lot of whataboutism rather than anything substantial:

"Democrats can raise bail for rioters and looters this summer, but somehow when Republicans condemn all the violence, the violence this summer, the violence last week, somehow we're wrong."

He also tried to equate Democrats challenging the 2016 election to the 2020 challenges made by Trump's administration although chose to ignore various points including the fact that multiple cases have been made to challenge Biden's win...and all of them have been thrown out.

Tightened Capitol security

As the House debates impeaching President Trump on Wednesday, security was heightened all around the Capitol, with barricades set several blocks from the Capitol building and law enforcement and national guard officials checking badges for anyone to enter the perimeter even by foot. 

Many vehicles were turned away in lines of snaking traffic around the Capitol complex. The Capitol itself is blanketed with extra layers of law enforcement personnel and extra checks for security. US Capitol Police took extra steps screening bags and individuals entering the building, taking closer look at badges and asking more questions. 

National Guard personnel were stationed in the Capitol Visitor Center for several hours overnight, with hundreds of them sleeping in the Congressional Visitors Center early in the morning.

'Trump led a rebellion'

‘We as a nation can no longer look away. The president not only incited an insurrection against our government, but has in word and deed led a rebellion.'

Listen to Rep. Ilhan Omar make her case during the House debate.

Article of impeachment against President Donald Trump debate

Headlines:

- House passes resolution to proceed with debate on impeachment in a 221-203 vote

- Mike Pence refuses to invoke 25th amendment

- House Democrats to take up article of impeachment with vote planned for Wednesday

- Democrats urge Mitch McConnell not to seek to slow-ball process

- Three Democrat lawmakers have tabled articles charging Trump with “incitement of insurrection”

- Congress faces a race against time to get impeachment hearings heard before 20 Jan.

- Pelosi labels Trump "a deranged, unhinged, dangerous president"

- Poll suggests 56% of Americans want Trump removed from office

- Having survived first impeachment hearing, growing number of GOP lawmakers are calling for Trump to be removed

 - Currently three Republicans, including third-ranking House GOP leader Liz Cheney, with Representatives John Katko and Adam Kinzinger announced they would vote to impeach Trump.

- Impeachment would prevent Trump from running for president again in 2024

Related articles: 

Trump impeachement: welcome

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the proceedings in the House of Representatives as charges of incitement of insurrection are brought against President Donald Trump.