Trump faces calls for removal, possible impeachment after Capitol chaos

[webfact]

Trump faces calls for removal, possible impeachment after Capitol chaos

By Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal

 

An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump faced the threat on Thursday of a second impeachment, a day after his supporters breached the U.S. Capitol in a stunning assault on American democracy as Congress was certifying President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

 

As Democratic leaders demanded his ouster, Trump came closer than he ever has to a formal concession, acknowledging a new administration would be sworn in on Jan. 20 and vowing to ensure a "smooth transition" in a video released on Thursday evening.

 

The president condemned Wednesday's violence, saying rioters had defiled the seat of American democracy and must be held accountable.

 

Just a day earlier, Trump had told supporters: "We love you. You're very special," as he urged them to go home after they broke into the Capitol.

 

In his remarks on Thursday, the president said: "We have just been through an intense election, and the emotions are high, but now tempers must be cooled and calm restored.

 

"We must get on with the business of America," Trump, a Republican, added, adopting a conciliatory tone seldom seen from the mercurial president.

 

The statement was a stark reversal for Trump, who has spent months insisting he prevailed in the Nov. 3 election, alleging widespread fraud despite no evidence. As recently as Thursday morning, when he issued a statement via an aide, Trump was still claiming the election had been stolen.

 

In the video, he defended his efforts to challenge the election in court, saying his goal was to "ensure the integrity of the vote."

 

But his exhortation on Wednesday to thousands of supporters that they march to the Capitol to protest the election results whipped up a mob that overran police officers and invaded the Capitol building, forcing members of Congress into hiding for their own safety.

 

The violence claimed four lives, including a woman among the demonstrators who was shot by authorities. After reports that a Capitol Police officer had died, the agency issued a statement saying they were inaccurate.

 

The top Democrats in Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, called on Vice President Mike Pence and Trump's Cabinet to use the U.S. Constitution to remove Trump for "his incitement of insurrection."

 

The 25th Amendment allows a majority of the Cabinet to remove a president from power if he is unable to discharge the duties of the office.

 

But a Pence adviser said the vice president, who would have to lead any such effort, was opposed to using the amendment to oust Trump from the White House.

 

NEW IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS?

If Pence fails to act, Pelosi signaled she would likely reconvene the House to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump for his role in Wednesday's violence. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, whose committee would likely draft any articles of impeachment, voiced his support earlier on Thursday.

 

It was not clear whether House Democrats would have enough time to initiate and complete impeachment proceedings, with less than two weeks remaining in Trump's term. Aides to Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, did not comment on the statement by Pelosi and Schumer.

 

The Democratic-led House impeached Trump in December 2019 after he pressured the president of Ukraine to investigate Biden, but the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him of charges of abusing his power and obstructing Congress.

 

A handful of Republicans joined calls for Trump's removal. The Wall Street Journal editorial page, seen as a leading voice of the Republican establishment, called on Trump to resign on Thursday evening.

 

Several members of Trump's administration, including Elaine Chao, the transportation secretary and McConnell's wife, resigned as a symbolic gesture against the violence.

 

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also submitted her resignation, citing Trump's rhetoric before the assault on the Capitol, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday night.

 

Congress formally certified Biden's election victory early on Thursday, after authorities cleared the Capitol. More than half of House Republicans and eight Republican senators voted to challenge the election results, backing Trump.

 

Biden blamed Trump for the attack but stopped short of calling for his ouster.

 

"He unleashed an all-out assault on the institutions of our democracy from the outset. And yesterday was but the culmination of that unrelenting attack," Biden said at a news conference to announce his selection for U.S. attorney general, federal appeals Judge Merrick Garland.

 

After Trump posted several messages about the demonstrations on Wednesday, Facebook Inc said it would ban Trump posts until Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration. Twitter Inc suspended Trump's account for 12 hours.

 

The president has increasingly isolated himself in the White House, relying on a small group of diehard loyalists and lashing out at Pence and others who dare to cross him, four sources said.

 

A source familiar with the situation said Trump in recent weeks had discussed the possibility of pardoning himself. The White House declined comment. Constitutional scholars have said it is unclear whether the presidential pardon power can be used in that way.

 

Trump faces potential state legal actions when he leaves office, including a criminal probe in New York, that would not be covered by a federal pardon.

 

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Susan Cornwell, Richard Cowan, Trevor Hunnicutt and Andy Sullivan; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Will Dunham, Howard Goller and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-08

 

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[Phuketshrew]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

"We must get on with the business of America," Trump, a Republican, added, adopting a conciliatory tone seldom seen from the mercurial president.

mercurial as in poisonous?

[Eric Loh]

6 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

mercurial as in poisonous?

Now we can understand his inability to learn, behavioral problems and mental retardation. 

[cmarshall]

7 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

mercurial as in poisonous?

 

A mercurial personality is one that changes frequently.

[cmarshall]

I don't think Trump is going to give up.  I think he is still trying to carry out his coup, now more desperately than yesterday.

[ThailandRyan]

12 days and the man is gone.  Not enough time to even start a trial.  Move on nothing to see here.  Sedition charges maybe for instigating the overthrow by his tweets or statements, again so many cases against the man.  If he was in Thailand he would flee to Dubai and be like the others, out of reach but not of touch with his base.

[Fat is a type of crazy]

3 minutes ago, cmarshall said:

I don't think Trump is going to give up.  I think he is still trying to carry out his coup, now more desperately than yesterday.

I think you are correct that if he could find a way he'd do it but I think even he can see the door has slammed shut.  I think even he'll get the picture yesterday was a step too far.

 

 

[cmarshall]

3 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I think you are correct that if he could find a way he'd do it but I think even he can see the door has slammed shut.  I think even he'll get the picture yesterday was a step too far.

 

Looks the opposite to me.  Pence is not going to invoke the 25th Amendment.  The Dems will impeach, but they won't be able to convict.  If Trump pardons yesterday's terrorist, what penalty is he paying?

 

That could only change if the Atty Gen Garland indicts and convicts him, which looks more likely, but remains to be seen.

[Fat is a type of crazy]

31 minutes ago, cmarshall said:

 

Looks the opposite to me.  Pence is not going to invoke the 25th Amendment.  The Dems will impeach, but they won't be able to convict.  If Trump pardons yesterday's terrorist, what penalty is he paying?

 

That could only change if the Atty Gen Garland indicts and convicts him, which looks more likely, but remains to be seen.

I am commenting on your opinion that he still thinks a coup is possible.

He was clearly dreaming to think that he ever had a chance of a coup by overturning the result of the election via Pence or the leaders in Georgia. It was silly and unrealistic. He overestimated his power and influence in my opinion. The whole voter fraud thing just appealed to his base.

Now I think he can see clearly that he has no real support for his remaining president amongst the people that matter - Pence, McConnell, etc. The result in Georgia further shows that he's not all that. 

A  whole range of Republicans are speaking out about how bad his actions are yesterday. Finally the emperor has no clothes.  I think this seriously damages the Trump brand of politics into the future. He'll still have his base though.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

There was reporting overnight that Trump, one day after the attempted insurrection he incited, was cheered Thursday when he called into a meeting of Republican National Committee members.

 

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/533198-republican-meeting-cheers-trump-one-day-after-capitol-violence-report

 

RNC meeting cheers Trump one day after Capitol violence: report

 

President Trump was met with cheers on Thursday when he called in to the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) winter meeting, according to a Washington Post report.

 

Calling into a members-only breakfast on Thursday morning, the president apologized for missing the meeting, but insisted he wanted to speak. At one point, someone in the room reportedly yelled “we love you” as the president spoke.

 

At no point, according to the Post’s report, did Trump mention the events of Wednesday, when a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to disrupt the congressional certification of the Electoral College vote.

 

The power of the lunacy and delusion that this terrible individual has created in the country is deep and wide.  And it didn't end with his failed insurrection attempt.

 

[cmarshall]

5 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

There was reporting overnight that Trump, one day after the attempted insurrection he incited, was cheered Thursday when he called into a meeting of Republican National Committee members.

 

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/533198-republican-meeting-cheers-trump-one-day-after-capitol-violence-report

 

RNC meeting cheers Trump one day after Capitol violence: report

President Trump was met with cheers on Thursday when he called in to the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) winter meeting, according to a Washington Post report.

 

Calling into a members-only breakfast on Thursday morning, the president apologized for missing the meeting, but insisted he wanted to speak. At one point, someone in the room reportedly yelled “we love you” as the president spoke.

 

At no point, according to the Post’s report, did Trump mention the events of Wednesday, when a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to disrupt the congressional certification of the Electoral College vote.

 

The power of the lunacy and delusion that this terrible individual has created in the country is deep and wide.  And it didn't end with his failed insurrection attempt.

 

 

Trump won't stop.  Hitler's Munich putsch failed in 1924, but he still got absolute power in 1933.

[cmarshall]

22 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I am commenting on your opinion that he still thinks a coup is possible.

He was clearly dreaming to think that he ever had a chance of a coup by overturning the result of the election via Pence or the leaders in Georgia.

 

I think you are dreaming if you think that a coup attempt that involved the heads of the security agencies for D.C. deciding in the weeks leading up to Jan. 6 to leave the protection of the Congress to the Capitol police, who lack the manpower and probably the training.  This is how you make an attack succeed, you just quietly withdraw the protection.  Then the recently appointed Trump toady who is acting Secretary of Defense refused to activate the D. C. National Guard.  Then when the Congressional leaders are holed up in a bunker asking the Governor of Maryland can he send some troops to stop the attack, the Acting Secretary of Defense can't be bothered to take the Governor's call and denies him permission to send his forces into D.C.  That is the telltale sign of a coup attempt.  Had the attack resulted in a massacre of senators and congressmen, Trump was ready to declare martial law and "delay" the inauguration.

 

It could still happen.  Trump is just more desperate than he was yesterday.  He hasn't given up.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Now there's also reporting that Trump and/or his Defense Department delayed / denied requests to send Army National Guard units to help rescue the Capitol.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/01/06/reports-trump-resisted-sending-national-guard-to-quell-violent-mob-at-us-capitol/?sh=79e1f7d1e18b

 

Reports: Trump Resisted Sending National Guard To Quell Violent Mob At U.S. Capitol

"After a mob of his supporters broke into the Capitol building on Wednesday, President Donald Trump was initially hesitant to deploy the National Guard to respond, CNN and the New York Times reported, leaving Vice President Mike Pence to make the call while Trump continued to complain on Twitter about his electoral loss.

...

Trump initially resisted requests to send in the National Guard, a delay that frustrated his aides, and the order to deploy those troops was ultimately placed by Pence rather than Trump, unnamed sources told CNN and the Times.

 

In a statement announcing the deployment, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller said he spoke with Pence and congressional leaders, but he didn’t mention Trump."

 

And parallel delays from the Trump loyalists recently installed to head the Department of Defense:

 

https://wtop.com/maryland/2021/01/hogan-federal-approval-to-send-national-guard-during-capitol-attack-delayed/

 

Hogan: Federal approval to send National Guard during Capitol attack delayed

 

"Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday said that he tried to send troops from the Maryland National Guard to restore peace at the U.S. Capitol during the attack by supporters of President Donald Trump, but was “repeatedly denied approval to do so” for about an hour and a half.

 

The governor said he told the Congressional leaders he was “ready, willing and able” to send the National Guard to the Capitol. But because D.C. is not allowed to call up the Guard themselves, he needed approval from the Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller to do so.

 

“We were repeatedly denied approval to do so,” Hogan said. “We had a little back-and-forth trying to get that authorization.”

 

About an hour and a half later, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy called Hogan — who said he didn’t recognize the number on his phone but answered anyway — and gave them the authority."

[Mavideol]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

President Donald Trump faced the threat on Thursday of a second impeachment

none would have been necessary if the "cronies McConnel, Graham & Cie" at the GOP had done their job when he was impeached the first time, there was more then enough evidence to impeach and removed, they chose their bed now they lay on it.... makes me laugh also the jerk from FB, he has been pocketing billions by allowing Trump to post on his app and now at the end of the circus
(4 years later) he decided o remove/block Trump same applies to Twitter..... what a bunch of hypocrites

[Mavideol]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

adopting a conciliatory tone seldom seen from the mercurial president.

That's not him, he will never use this type of tone, "Conciliatory" not on his dictionary... he did said, "never give up" that's more like his type of words

[cmarshall]

1 hour ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I think you are correct that if he could find a way he'd do it but I think even he can see the door has slammed shut.  I think even he'll get the picture yesterday was a step too far.

 

If the door were still open, do you think that you and I would be able to see it?

[Mavideol]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

saying his goal was to "ensure the integrity of the vote."

funny he didn't ensured/investigate the integrity of the 2016 vote.... nor did he investigate Vlad bounty money to kill US soldiers but as we all know the guy is a liar, thus when saying the above he's lying 555

[than]

The only way to permanently eliminate Trump is to activate Article 4 of the 25th Amendment.
If he is declared incapable of governing the United States, he will not be able to stand for re-election in 2024

[Opl]

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

12 days and the man is gone.  Not enough time to even start a trial.  Move on nothing to see here.  Sedition charges maybe for instigating the overthrow by his tweets or statements, again so many cases against the man.  If he was in Thailand he would flee to Dubai and be like the others, out of reach but not of touch with his base.

 

and what about the mobs Trump has empowered?  

Edited January 8, 2021 by Opl

[Tug]

Trump imo should be ousted in anyway possible article 25 impeached arrested or whatever he is a traitor to the oath of office he is unfit and should be arrested and brought up on charges enough!he is and always has been a danger to everything on our earth that friends was a coup attempt no more no less

[animalmagic]

1 hour ago, cmarshall said:

 

I think you are dreaming if you think that a coup attempt that involved the heads of the security agencies for D.C. deciding in the weeks leading up to Jan. 6 to leave the protection of the Congress to the Capitol police, who lack the manpower and probably the training.  This is how you make an attack succeed, you just quietly withdraw the protection.  Then the recently appointed Trump toady who is acting Secretary of Defense refused to activate the D. C. National Guard.  Then when the Congressional leaders are holed up in a bunker asking the Governor of Maryland can he send some troops to stop the attack, the Acting Secretary of Defense can't be bothered to take the Governor's call and denies him permission to send his forces into D.C.  That is the telltale sign of a coup attempt.  Had the attack resulted in a massacre of senators and congressmen, Trump was ready to declare martial law and "delay" the inauguration.

 

It could still happen.  Trump is just more desperate than he was yesterday.  He hasn't given up.

It did seem a little too easy

[Justgrazing]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

But a Pence adviser said the vice president, who would have to lead any such effort, was opposed to using the amendment to oust Trump from the White House.

 

Time to put America first for Mr Pence .. he witnessed at very first hand what happened having to be taken to safety by his security detail .. and now he has some soul searching to do .. it is unconscionable that D T can remain in office after the storming of Congress as a direct result of the incitement and goading of his supporters to do such a thing .. the responsibility on Pence now rises way above any loyalty to D T or the Republican Party and as unpalatable as it may be to M P ridding America of D T's president'cy prematurely has to be done and by him ..

 

Edited January 8, 2021 by Justgrazing
Sp

[skorp13]

Impeachment? The man has less than 2 weeks lwft in office and you're going to spend how much time and money that those could be sent on your citizens. Really dumb and disgraceful. he already stated a peaceful transfer of power on the 20th

[Opl]

11 minutes ago, Justgrazing said:

 

Time to put America first for Mr Pence .. he witnessed at very first hand what happened having to be taken to safety by his security detail .. and now he has some soul searching to do .. it is unconscionable that D T can remain in office after the storming of Congress as a direct result of the incitement and goading of his supporters to do such a thing .. the responsibility on Pence now rises way above any loyalty to D T or the Republican Party and as unpalatable as it may be to M P ridding the country and America of D T's president'cy has to be done and by him ..

 

Pontius Pilate

Edited January 8, 2021 by Opl

[stevenl]

Not enough time for impeachment, and Pence won't invoke article 25. Things will stay as they are.

 

But I do think Trump will try some more tricks.

Edited January 8, 2021 by stevenl

[Fat is a type of crazy]

1 hour ago, cmarshall said:

 

I think you are dreaming if you think that a coup attempt that involved the heads of the security agencies for D.C. deciding in the weeks leading up to Jan. 6 to leave the protection of the Congress to the Capitol police, who lack the manpower and probably the training.  This is how you make an attack succeed, you just quietly withdraw the protection.  Then the recently appointed Trump toady who is acting Secretary of Defense refused to activate the D. C. National Guard.  Then when the Congressional leaders are holed up in a bunker asking the Governor of Maryland can he send some troops to stop the attack, the Acting Secretary of Defense can't be bothered to take the Governor's call and denies him permission to send his forces into D.C.  That is the telltale sign of a coup attempt.  Had the attack resulted in a massacre of senators and congressmen, Trump was ready to declare martial law and "delay" the inauguration.

 

It could still happen.  Trump is just more desperate than he was yesterday.  He hasn't given up.

I have no information to suggest what happened yesterday was as coordinated as you say. I personally wouldn't even call it an attempted coup.

There were delays in bringing in the National Guard but I don't see it, based on available facts, that the delay was broadly coordinated with the aim of an actual coup. I think that's a big overreach if that's what you are saying. 

I think it was another Trump scheme that wasn't well thought through and failed - just like his myriad of voter fraud court cases. The difference, as I have said, is this time he clearly went too far and he has been admonished by all and sundry outside his base. 

I am not saying he won't try and be president again, but just that, even he must see that an actual coup is impossible. Maybe you are overestimating his cunning, forethought and stamina to actually play the longer game to actually plan a coup. Maybe I am overestimating his intelligence.

Edited January 8, 2021 by Fat is a type of crazy

[placeholder]

14 minutes ago, skorp13 said:

Impeachment? The man has less than 2 weeks lwft in office and you're going to spend how much time and money that those could be sent on your citizens. Really dumb and disgraceful. he already stated a peaceful transfer of power on the 20th

And if it's one thing Trump is known for, it's keeping his word.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

6 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Not enough time for impeachment, and Pence won't invoke article 25. Things will stay as they are.

 

But I do think Trump will try some more tricks.

 

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/pence-25th-amendment-congress-pelosi-b1784205.html

 

"In the aftermath of Capitol Hill riot and Donald Trump’s failure to stop the violence, Mike Pence will not support calls for the vice president and members of the cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution to remove the president from office, according to Business Insider.

 

The publication cites two aides to the vice president who have stressed that there is “no way” that he would participate, as a growing body of lawmakers and officials from across the US demand the president’s removal.

 

His aides are reportedly worried that taking the unprecedented step “could spiral the country even further into chaos and partisan divide” and compromise the vice president’s future political ambitions."

[mtls2005]

1 minute ago, placeholder said:

And if it's one thing Trump is known for, it's keeping his word.

 

And don't forget Susan Collins, who said trump will be fine as he learned his lesson with the first impeachment.

 

 

[Salerno]

3 hours ago, cmarshall said:

I don't think Trump is going to give up.  I think he is still trying to carry out his coup, now more desperately than yesterday.

 

Well hopefully this guy is wrong:

 

 

 

The guy being interviewed is ...

Quote

Dr. David Kilcullen is a former soldier and diplomat, and a scholar of guerrilla warfare, terrorism, urbanisation and the future of conflict, who served 25 years for the Australian and United States governments. During the Iraq War, he served in Baghdad as a member of the Joint Strategic Assessment Team, then as Senior Counterinsurgency Advisor, Multi-National Force Iraq in 2007, before becoming Special Advisor for Counterinsurgency to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2008. He was the U.S. State Department’s representative on the 2008 Lute Review of Afghanistan-Pakistan Strategy, and was lead author for the U.S. Government’s Counterinsurgency Handbook....

 

Edited January 8, 2021 by onthedarkside
bio shortened for fair use