2nd Trump Impeachment: Rhode Island Representatives Vote Yes

Cranston RI

13 January, 2021

4:43 PM

Description

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's two U.S. representatives voted in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump on a charge that he incited the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. The House voted 232-197 in favor, making Trump the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. The historic House vote took place a week after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a siege that resulted in five deaths — including the beating death of a Capitol Police officer, multiple arrests and a sprawling FBI investigation. The impeachment comes a week before President-elect Joe Biden is to be inaugurated in a city on high alert amid ongoing threats of violence. Rep. David Cicilline, a vocal critic of Trump throughout his presidency, led the latest charge for the president's removal. He coauthored the impeachment resolution just one day after the attacks, as well as a letter to Vice President Mike Pence calling on him to invoke the 25th amendment to remove the president from office. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named him an impeachment manager for the impending Senate trial. "Today, a strong, bipartisan majority of the U.S. House took the first step towards holding the President accountable for leading this failed coup," Cicilline said following the historic vote. "Make no mistake, we have upheld our responsibility to protect the United States from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Our republic is stronger today than it was one week ago." In his remarks before the votes were cast, Cicilline spoke passionately about the discord sown by Trump and his supporters. "I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who are not planning to vote for this article, is this the kind of country you want to live in?" he said in part. "What are you going to tell your children and grandchildren when they ask what you did in this moment. Did you stand for the republic or for this president? Heed the words of Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, who told our country that a house divided against itself cannot stand." Rep. Jim Langevin called the attack "a horrific day for our democracy." "[Trump] has perverted his oath to defend the Constitution, attacking the very foundation of our democracy by inciting his supporters to violence," Langevin said. "He is not fit to serve, and he is a danger to our country while he does." It's not yet clear when the matter will move to the U.S. Senate. Here's how Rhode Island's delegation voted on the impeachment: Rep. David Cicilline (D): YesRep. Jim Langevin (D): Yes As lawmakers debated the need for and grave potential consequence of impeaching Trump for a second time, the FBI warned of armed protests in the days ahead of Biden's inauguration. Statehouses in all 50 states have been targeted for protests. The agency is also monitoring chatter on an encrypted messaging platform about plans by Trump extremists to form perimeters around the Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court building as Biden takes the oath of office. Read More On Patch: The Latest On Impeachment As More Violence, Assassinations Threatened What's Next Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky reportedly may allow the Senate to vote to convict Trump, an extraordinary turn by the Republican leader who has defended and protected Trump during the four years of his tumultuous presidency. Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-ranking member of the House Republican leadership, is among Republicans who said they would break from their party and vote to impeach Trump. "There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution," she said in a statement Tuesday. Trial In The Senate Two-thirds of the chamber would have to vote to convict Trump. The Senate exonerated Trump last year on charges of abuse of power and contempt of Congress after special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, but the charge against Trump this time is more clear-cut. Under the Constitution, the Senate could prevent him from holding federal office again and strip him of other perks afforded to former presidents. Read more: RI Rep. David Cicilline Named Trump Impeachment ManagerCalls For RI Rep. Justin Price To Resign Following Capitol RiotCicilline Leader Of Impeachment Charge Following Capitol SiegeCicilline, Others Call For Trump Removal Following Capitol Siege'Say A Prayer For Our Country': RI Lawmakers On Capitol Chaos