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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2021)
Page 12 The Skanner Portland & Seattle January 13, 2021 Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Impeachment Shame for Donald Trump – Presidency Concludes on Lowest Note in History Trump impeached after Capitol riot in historic second charge By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent F irst came the testi- mony and closing arguments – Con- gress members laid out a four-year reign of terror that was Donald Trump’s presidency. Then came the verdict – Congress voted to im- peach Trump, and in the process, placed an excla- mation stamp at the end of perhaps the most divi- sive presidency in Amer- ican history. It also marked the first time that a president was impeached twice – in Trump’s case, it is the second consecutive Janu- ary that House members agreed to the strongest rebuke it could provide a sitting president. Trump was impeached in 2020 for obstruction of Con- gress and abuse of pow- er. This time, Congress nailed him for “incite- ment of insurrection,” a shameful charge – prob- ably the most dishonor- able of any president. The Senate must now host a trial and decide whether to remove Trump, who has just one week remaining in his term. “For years, we have been asked to turn a blind eye to the crimi- nality, corruption, and blatant disregard to the rule of law by the tyrant president we have in the White House. We as a na- tion can no longer look away,” Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) de- clared. Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern, the Chairman of the House Rules Com- mittee, blasted: “Presi- dent Donald Trump and his allies were stoking the anger of a violent mob.” “A member of this very body proclaimed on that stage, today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass,” McGovern, of Massachusetts stated. “Trump’s personal at- torney Rudy Giuliani called for trial by com- bat. Then Donald Trump told the crowd, ‘we’re go- ing to have to fight much harder. You’ll never take back our country with weakness.” Despite some pushback from die- hard Trump supporters in Congress, the House voted to im- peach the 45th presi- dent. Unlike the first time the House impeached, Mitch Mc- Connell (R-Ken- tucky), the Senate Re- Members of the National Guard gather inside the Capitol Visitor Center, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Washington as the p u b l i c a n House of Representatives continues with its fast-moving House vote to impeach President Donald Trump, a week after a leader, has mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) declared support for impeach- The House impeach- The law has only been charge the powers and ment. ment resolution that used a handful of times, duties of his office.” At least seven other passed on Wednesday most recently when, on If the 25th Amendment Republicans have voiced cited “incitement and in- Jun. 8, 2002, President were invoked, Pence that they too favor im- surrection” for the Pres- George W. Bush’s powers would assume the pres- peaching Trump. ident’s role in the Jan. 6 were transferred to Vice idency and serve out If convicted in the Sen- insurrection at the U.S. President Dick Cheney what remains in Trump’s ate, Trump would no Capitol. for about an hour be- term. longer be eligible to hold Before introducing im- cause Bush was under However, Pence de- public office, lose his peachment legislation, sedation for a medical clined to invoke the mea- $200,000 pension for the House Majority Leader procedure. sure. rest of his life, and forfeit Steny Hoyer (D-Mary- Section 4 of the Amend- “[Trump] needs to a $1 million per year trav- land) attempted to pass ment strips power from be removed. He’s dan- el allowance. a resolution to ask Vice the President. gerous,” House Speak- Trump would still President Mike Pence to It states that the Vice er Nancy Pelosi stated, maintain eligibility for invoke the 25th Amend- President and a majority echoing the sentiments secret service protec- ment to remove the Pres- of Cabinet can deem the of more than 200 mem- tion. President unable to dis- bers of Congress. ident from office.
