The House approved a resolution (223-205) calling for Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove President Trump from office following last week’s attack on the US Capitol. Pence said he would not do so in a letter released yesterday, noting that the 25th amendment “is not a means of punishment” and that invoking it would set a “terrible precedent” (source). The House is now moving forward with impeachment proceedings (watch live), with a vote expected as early as today.
More context: While impeachment is expected to pass largely along party lines in the House, several Republican lawmakers have also signaled support for the action (including Liz Cheney (R-WY), the third-ranking Republican in the House). If the House does vote to impeach President Trump, he would then face a trial in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority would be needed to convict. Here’s an explainer on the impeachment process.
Extra: Meanwhile, President Trump made comments yesterday defending his speech to supporters prior to the attack (watch).
The New Paper
This story is from the January 13, 2021 edition of The New Paper – a clear, concise daily briefing that makes fact-first news easy to consume. Try it today.
