The chaos at the Capitol in Washington has forced political leaders to more closely scrutinize President Trump and the role his rhetoric has played in Wednesday’s violent riots -- and if he is fit to remain in office, even if his term expires in just 13 days.
The American votes that declare Joe Biden as the nation’s next president have been certified at local, state and national levels. Members of Congress were meeting on Jan. 6 to count and approve those certifications, the final step in affirming Biden’s title as President-elect.
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As representatives convened in Washington Wednesday, so, too, did pro-Trump rioters. A large group of extremists -- some armed -- stormed the nation’s Capitol buildings in a bid to challenge Biden’s victory, forcing lawmakers to flee in search of safety. As of Wednesday evening, the Associated Press reports that four people died during the chaos; one woman was shot inside the Capitol.
Though clear to many before, lawmakers, TV pundits and Americans alike agreed that Trump’s spewing of false election claims and encouragement of violence and defiance contributes to dangerous behaviors like those seen Jan. 6.
Read: Experts: Capitol riot product of years of hateful rhetoric
In response, lawmakers are calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the Constitution’s 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
Michigan lawmakers have joined representatives around the country in asking Pence to invoke the amendment and assume Trump’s duties as president for the remainder of his term.
Learn more: What is the 25th Amendment and how does it work?
Michigan Rep. Andy Levin, Michigan’s 9th District
Given the President’s incitement of violence and abdication of responsibility, I am joining my colleagues in calling on @VP to invoke the 25th amendment. https://t.co/gMosPFmxeI
— Rep. Andy Levin (@RepAndyLevin) January 7, 2021
Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, Michigan’s 14th District
I cannot fulfill my duties as a Member of Congress if I do not stand up and call for the removal of Donald Trump from office to save our country.
— Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) January 7, 2021
The Vice President and Cabinet should invoke the 25th Amendment, or Congress should impeach and remove the President.
Rep. Haley Stevens, Michigan’s 11th District
I encourage those with the authority to invoke the 25th Amendment to exercise that power. This President must be removed to preserve our democracy and protect our national security. I continue to pray for all Americans tonight. https://t.co/hI5yfMReYd
— Rep. Haley Stevens (@RepHaleyStevens) January 7, 2021
Rep. Dan Kildee, Michigan’s 5th District
President Trump is wholly unfit to serve as commander-in-chief.
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) January 7, 2021
After today's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol incited by the president, he should either resign, be impeached again by Congress or removed by the Cabinet under the 25th Amendment.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (sort of), Michigan’s 13th District
This is on Donald Trump, period. He called folks to D.C. and gave them marching orders. He needs to be impeached and removed immediately.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) January 6, 2021
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, from Massachusetts
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the Cabinet should stop hiding behind anonymous leaks to reporters and do what the Constitution demands they do: invoke the 25th Amendment and remove this President from office. https://t.co/HUtUfeiTUP
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 7, 2021
Led by: Congressman David Cicilline, from Rhode Island
NEW: I am sending a letter with @RepTedLieu and our colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee, calling on Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Donald Trump from office after today’s events. pic.twitter.com/5VK8DLTLn4
— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 7, 2021
Speaker of the U.S. House Rep. Nancy Pelosi, from California, previously introduced legislation in October requesting Congress to intervene under the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. The legislation did not move forward, but the effort was seen as a tool to stoke questions about Trump’s fitness.
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