Pence says he will not remove Trump from office

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi that he is opposed to invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office after Trump’s supporters laid siege to the U.S. Capitol last week.

"I do not believe that such a course of action is in the best interest of our Nation or consistent with our Constitution," Pence said in a letter released by his office as the House prepared to vote on a non-binding resolution calling on him to utilize the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Pence told Pelosi the administration’s energy was focused on ensuring an orderly transition, and appealed to her and other members 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," Reuters cited Pence as saying.

Invoking the 25th Amendment as a means of "punishment or usurpation" would "set a terrible precedent," Pence beleives.

Removal of a president under the 25th Amendment requires a declaration by the vice president and the majority of the president’s Cabinet.