House Democrats are planning to move forward with impeaching President Donald Trump as they try to remove him from office days before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
The single article of impeachment was introduced on Monday (January 11) during a House pro forma session and charged Trump with "incitement of insurrection" for his role in the riots at the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday.
"In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government," the resolution reads. "He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States."
In addition to filing articles of impeachment against Trump, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer introduced a resolution from Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin calling on Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office. He asked for unanimous consent to bring up the resolution but was blocked by West Virginia GOP Rep. Alex Mooney. The House will likely vote on the full measure on Tuesday. It would give Pence 24 hours to respond.
If Pence and the Cabinet decide against invoking the 25th Amendment, the House could hold a vote on impeachment as early as Wednesday.
Biden has not taken a position on impeachment and said that it is up to Congress to decide.
"I'm focused on the virus, the vaccine, and economic growth. What Congress decides to do is for them to decide," Biden said. "We're going to do our job, and the Congress can decide how to proceed with theirs."
Photo: Getty Images