2nd Trump Impeachment: How Maryland's House Delegation Voted

Annapolis MD

13 January, 2021

4:51 PM

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WASHINGTON — U.S. representatives from Maryland voted to impeach President Donald Trump (R) on a charge that he incited the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. The House voted 232 to 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 (D) is to be inaugurated in a city on high alert amid ongoing threats of violence. "I have served with many Presidents, all of whom honored our Constitution and executed the duties of the office consistent with the laws of our country," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said on Twitter. "That is not true of this President, which is why we will vote to impeach him today. Here's how the Maryland delegation voted on the impeachment: Andrew P. Harris (R-District 1): No voteC. A. Dutch Ruppersberger III (D-District 2): YesJohn P. Sarbanes (D-District 3): YesAnthony G. Brown (D-District 4): YesSteny H. Hoyer (D-District 5): YesDavid Trone (D-District 6): YesKweisi Mfume (D-District 7): YesJamin B. (Jamie) Raskin (D-District 8): Yes Maryland's only Republican did not vote Wednesday. Harris, who is a physician, said the impeachment "was another waste of time brought to you by the Democrat majority." "While I certainly would have voted against impeachment, and the Congressional Record will reflect that, my constituents were better served by my work in the operating room today than by taking part in this pointless exercise," the representative said Wednesday on Twitter. Harris condemned last week's violence at the Capitol, but he drew criticism after calling for an investigation into the 2020 election and objecting to the results in two states. "Democrats are calling for unity, yet also calling for the expulsion of Members who objected in yesterday's Electoral College count," Harris said in a statement last Thursday. "Today, some Marylanders are even calling for my resignation, which I will not do." What's Next Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will not allow the Senate to vote to convict Trump — which would have been an extraordinary turn by a Republican leader who has defended and protected Trump during the four years of his tumultuous presidency. If an impeachment trial is allowed in the Senate, it will be after Biden is inaugurated, McConnell said Wednesday. McConnell has reportedly said he believes Trump committed impeachable offenses, and that moving forward with a vote would make it easier for Republicans to purge Trumpism from their party, but he won't reconvene the Senate ahead of Biden's inauguration. His staff said McConnell will defer to New York Democrat Chuck Schumer, who will become the new majority leader, to manage the process. Biden has suggested the Senate could "bifurcate" — that is spend half of the day confirming his Cabinet nominees and the other half on impeachment matters. Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-ranking member of the House Republican leadership, is among more than two dozen Republicans who signaled 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. 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. Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts. RELATED: After Death Of Capitol Police Officers, Flags Lower To Half-StaffOfficer Suspended, Accused Of Involvement At U.S. Capitol: PoliceBunker Phone Calls, Military Delays: Hogan Responds To Trump MobHogan Says Trump Isn't Fit For Office, Suggests Pence Is BetterMD Leaders Condemn 'Insurrection' That Overtook U.S. CapitolMaryland Police, County Officers Deployed For DC ProtestTrump Mob Attacks Capitol; 4 Deaths; 69 Arrests; FBI Seeks Tips Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.