Trump impeached for unprecedented second time | Daily News

Trump impeached for unprecedented second time

Speaker of the US House Nancy Pelosi signs an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for incitement of insurrection, following Vice President Mike Pence's refusal to use the 25th amendment to remove him from office for his role in the breach of the U.S. Capitol last week. - AFP
Speaker of the US House Nancy Pelosi signs an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for incitement of insurrection, following Vice Pres

US: Donald Trump became the first US President in history to be impeached twice when the US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to charge him with inciting last week's mob attack on Congress.

"Today, in a bipartisan way, the House demonstrated that no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States," Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the vote.

The Senate will not hold a trial before January 20, when Democrat Joe Biden assumes the presidency, meaning the real estate tycoon will escape the ignominy of being forced to leave early.

He is set, however, to face a Senate trial later and if convicted he might be barred in a follow-up vote from seeking the presidency again in 2024.

"Donald Trump has deservedly become the first president in American history to bear the stain of impeachment twice over," said Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, who in a week's time will become Senate leader.

"The Senate is required to act and will proceed with his trial."

In the House of Representatives, the only question was how many Republicans would join the lockstep Democratic majority in the 232-197 vote. At final count, 10 Republicans broke ranks, including the party's number three in the House, Representative Liz Cheney.

Trump issued a videotaped address from the White House where he appeald for Americans to be "united," avoid violence and "overcome the passions of the moment."

"There is never a justification for violence. No excuses, no exceptions: America is a nation of laws," Trump said.

Biden called Wednesday's decision by lawmakers "a bipartisan vote cast by members who followed the Constitution and their conscience." Biden urged the Senate to address his priorities such as approving Cabinet nominations while also dealing with Trump's trial.

One protester was shot dead, and three other people died of "medical emergencies," bringing the toll to five.

Pelosi told the chamber before the vote that Trump "must go."

"He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love," she said.

Current Senate leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, says he will not call for an impeachment trial before Trump's January 20 exit.

- AFP