Trump impeachment focus shifts to Senate trial
10 House Republicans break ranks to support second Trump impeachment
Impeached for a second time, President Trump faces an uncertain fate in the Senate. It was the most bipartisan House impeachment ever. Democrats want answers about Capitol tours just before the attack. This is “Regular Order” for January 14, 2021.
SENATE TRIAL AWAITS. In the first Trump impeachment trial, Senate GOP leaders had the President’s back. This time, maybe not. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would not rule out convicting the President on a charge of inciting an insurrection. “I have not made a final decision on how I will vote,” McConnell said. Conviction by the Senate would disqualify Trump from running again for President.
POST-TRUMP TRIAL. Every Constitutional expert imaginable will now weigh in on whether a President can be tried by the Senate after he leaves office. As we detailed earlier this week, the precedent says yes (it happened with a Secretary of War in 1876). Will the Chief Justice still preside? Will the President even offer a defense? How will it work? Tune in next week for, ‘Ask the Parliamentarian.’
JANUARY 19. Nothing is expected to happen with the impeachment articles in the Senate until next Tuesday, the day before the Inauguration. The expectation is that a trial will get going in earnest after President-Elect Biden is sworn into office. At that point, Democrats will officially be in charge of the Senate.
TEN REPUBLICANS SAY YES. Never before have so many members of a President’s party voted for impeachment. What unified them? Their disgust for the attack on the Capitol. “The President of the United States helped organize and incite a mob," said Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH). "The President betrayed his oath of office," added Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI). "Turning a blind eye to this brutal assault on our Republic is not an option," said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA).
THE BIG SURPRISE. A reliable Trump supporter, Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) could easily have voted 'no.' But he castigated the President, calling his response an ‘utter failure.’ "It has been a week since so many were injured, the United States Capitol was ransacked, and six people were killed, including two police officers,” Rice said. “Yet, the President has not addressed the nation to ask for calm.”
DRAMATIC SECURITY SURGE. The U.S. Capitol looked like a military base on Wednesday. Hundreds and hundreds of armed soldiers inside and outside the Capitol. Upwards of 20,000 troops will provide extra security in Washington, as officials outlined street closures around the Capitol and White House. One report last night said the entire National Mall would be closed for the Inauguration on January 20.
DON’T COME TO DC. Not only is the Mayor of Washington, D.C. urging people not to travel here for the inauguration, but Airbnb is ‘blocking and canceling’ all existing reservations in the nation’s capital around January 20.
DETAILS OF THE ATTACK. As new video evidence continues to surface from the siege of the Capitol last week, more questions are being raised about the attackers, and their preparations. Watch this video from the West Front of the Capitol. One gets the odd feeling that these don't seem like people who randomly decided to barge into the building on January 6.
DEMOCRATS DEMAND REVIEW. Over 30 Democrats have asked for an internal review of whether lawmakers gave tours the day before the Capitol attack - to people involved in that violent assault. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) said various Democrats went to security officials on January 5 with their concerns. The ex-Navy pilot noted the Capitol has been closed to public tours since March because of the Coronavirus.
PELOSI SETS SECURITY FINES. With House Republicans protesting new metal detectors installed for lawmakers just off the House floor, Speaker Nancy Pelosi set out new rules on Wednesday which call for stiff penalties against those who refuse to go through the checks. The fine for the first offense will be $5,000. A second offense is $10,000. The House is expected to debate and vote on the fines late next week.
GOP FROWNS ON SECURITY. Going through metal detectors makes some GOP lawmakers pretty mad. Various Republicans flouted the checks again on Wednesday, arguing they were ‘appalling,’ a misuse of resources, and a violation of the Second Amendment. There were no public complaints from Democrats.
STYLE SECTION. Yes, Speaker Pelosi did wear the same dress on Wednesday that she wore for the first Trump impeachment vote.
THE MUSE OF HISTORY. 12 years ago today, things were a lot different. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) had just returned from a trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq with Vice President-Elect Joe Biden. Graham - who had been a strong ally of Sen. John McCain's failed bid for the White House in 2008 - sat down on this date before TV cameras with Biden and President-Elect Barack Obama to discuss their findings. Watch the video from C-SPAN. January 14, 2009 was a much different time.
TRUMP IMPEACHED AGAIN. My full coverage from Wednesday at this link.
UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:
House meets next on Friday.
Senate meets next on Friday.
President Trump is in Washington.
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