The Democrats-controlled House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to impeach Republican President Donald Trump on the charge of inciting a violent insurrection.
The House voted the article of impeachment 232 to 197. There were ten Trump’s fellow party members among those who supported the impeachment move.
Trump is the only U.S. president to be impeached by the House twice. The first impeachment try was ventured in 2019 when the House of Representatives supported the move but in early 2020 the Senate acquitted him on both charges.
The impeachment move was initiative by David Cicilline, the U.S. Representative for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district, on Monday. Trump is charged with "inciting violence against the government of the United States" when he addressed his supporters on January 6. After that, his supporters stormed the Capitol Building in Washington DC to stop lawmakers from officially certifying the results of the November presidential election in a last-ditch attempt to prevent Democrat Joe Biden from becoming the new president. One protester was shot dead during the unrest. In addition, three others died, the causes of their deaths were qualified as medical emergencies. Democrat lawmakers accused Trump of fanning the flames of insurrection and demanded that he be immediately removed from office. Some Republicans backed the move. Biden’s inauguration is scheduled for January 20.
Now, the issue is to be referred to the Senate trial where the House actually acts as the prosecution and the Senators act as the jury. At least two thirds of the Senate vote (67) are needed to remove the president from his office, TASS reported.
The Senate however is unlikely to address the matter before Trump’s office expires. As follows from its schedule, it is not set to convene to discuss any issues of importance until January 19, while Trump’s term in office expires at noon on January 20.
According to the Washington Post, even if impeached by the Senate, Trump will still be able to run for president in 2024 unless the Senate organizes a separate voting on that matter.
