Trump impeachment bid to begin due to ‘imminent threat to our democracy’ – Speaker Pelosi

US

Democrat momentum behind the second impeachment of Donald Trump has gained senior Republican support.

Senator Pat Toomey said he believed the president had committed “impeachable offences” and that his role in the deadly Capitol riots by a violent mob of his supporters needed thorough investigation.

Mr Toomey also called for Mr Trump‘s resignation – the second Republican to do so since Wednesday’s violence.

Donald Trump's opponents in Boston are promoting impeachment against the US president. They have mounted the large-scale demand "Impeachment now" on a truck with which they roll through the streets. They demand: "Make America America again". (08 Oct 2019) | usage worldwide Photo by: Jürgen Schwenkenbecher/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Image:
Donald Trump’s opponents in Boston promote impeachment against the US president

His comments came as investigators attempting to find out the identities of all those who stormed the building revealed that some off-duty police officers and firefighters may have been among them.

Police departments in Virginia and Washington state have placed officers on leave, while they examine whether they took part in unlawful acts while away from work.

And fire departments in Florida and New York City have reported to federal authorities allegations that some of their members may also have been present.

Five people, including a Capitol police officer, died when the protesters broke into the building as Congress met to certify the results of the presidential election.

More from Donald Trump

The crowd surged to the domed symbol of American democracy following a rally near the White House, where the outgoing president repeated his false and unproven claims that the election was stolen from him – and urged his supporters to march in force toward the Capitol.

This is what has enraged even previously loyal Republicans like Mr Toomey – and fuelled momentum behind a bid to impeach the president for what would be an unprecedented second time.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Officer crushed in door as mob storm Capitol

There are now 200 co-sponsors for the impeachment legislation that Democratic representative Ted Lieu plans to introduce on Monday.

But while Mr Toomey called for the president to step down, he stopped short of saying whether he would vote to remove him from office at the conclusion of a Senate trial.

He told Fox News: “I do think the president committed impeachable offences, but I don’t know what is going to land on the Senate floor, if anything.”

He said the president’s resignation is the “best path forward”, describing it as “the best way to get this person in the rear view mirror for us”.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has also called for Mr Trump’s resignation.

But Mr Toomey admitted he was not optimistic it would happen before his term ends.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Schwarzenegger likens Capitol rioters to Nazis

Politicians plan to formally introduce articles of impeachment on Monday in the House of Representatives – exactly one week before Democrat Joe Biden becomes the 46th president at noon on 20 January.

If passed by the House, the articles would be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors who would ultimately vote on whether to acquit or convict Mr Trump.

If convicted by a two-third majority, requiring a number of Republicans to vote with the Democrats, then he would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president.

The president has few fellow Republicans speaking out in his defence, with the former governor of California – and Hollywood legend – Arnold Schwarzenegger among those to have condemned him.

He has become increasingly isolated, holed up in the White House as he has been abandoned in the aftermath of the riot by many aides, leading Republicans, and two Cabinet members – both of whom are women.

Products You May Like

Articles You May Like

Charli XCX Announces Brat 2024 Live Shows
Exclusive-Russia struggles to collect oil payments as China, UAE, Turkey raise bank scrutiny
Apple to launch Vision Pro in China this year, Tim Cook says
‘Like a Mirror’: Astronomers Identify Most Reflective Planet 260 Light Years From Earth
The New Empire’ To Open To $135M Worldwide Box Office