Trump Becomes First President To Be Impeached Twice: McConnell and Guthrie Issue Statements

Impeachment Process Explained: Trump Could Be Barred From Holding Office In Future

Darren Doyle, story:
Today, The U.S. House of Representatives voted 232-197 to impeach President Donald J. Trump, where he was charged with “incitement of insurrection." He is the first US president to be impeached twice. There were also ten House Republicans that broke with their party and voted for today's impeachment; however, the Senate will not convene until next week to hold a trial for the president, according to a statement from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“The House of Representatives has voted to impeach the President," said Leader McConnell. "The Senate process will now begin at our first regular meeting following receipt of the article from the House."

“Given the rules, procedures, and Senate precedents that govern presidential impeachment trials, there is simply no chance that a fair or serious trial could conclude before President-elect Biden is sworn in next week. The Senate has held three presidential impeachment trials. They have lasted 83 days, 37 days, and 21 days respectively."

​“Even if the Senate process were to begin this week and move promptly, no final verdict would be reached until after President Trump had left office. This is not a decision I am making; it is a fact. The President-elect himself stated last week that his inauguration on January 20 is the ‘quickest’ path for any change in the occupant of the presidency."

“In light of this reality, I believe it will best serve our nation if Congress and the executive branch spend the next seven days completely focused on facilitating a safe inauguration and an orderly transfer of power to the incoming Biden Administration. I am grateful to the offices and institutions within the Capitol that are working around the clock, alongside federal and local law enforcement, to prepare for a safe and successful inauguration at the Capitol next Wednesday.”

U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie also released a statement regarding the impeachment.

“The idea from House Democrats that we have to act today to impeach President Donald Trump because we do not have a second to spare rings hollow. The Senate has indicated impeachment proceedings will not start before January 20th, which means the impeachment trial could happen in the days, weeks, or even months after President Trump has left office.

In the United States one of our core principles is due process, and this impeachment is clearly being rushed with no due process. Before a House floor vote to charge a president with an impeachable offense, Congress should examine all of the facts and hold hearings in the appropriate committees.

Let me be clear: I unequivocally condemn the violent mob storming the Capitol last week and want those responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In order to fully evaluate the circumstances around the attack on the U.S. Capitol and ensure this will never happen again, I support a bipartisan commission to conduct an investigation and uncover all of the facts. I disagree with the urgency to impeach today without knowing all the facts and carrying out due process.”

The 10 House Republicans voting to impeach the President were:
• Rep. Gonzalez (OH)
• Rep. Meijer (MI)
• Rep. Upton (MI)
• Rep. Cheney (WY)
• Rep. Katko (NY)
• Rep. Kinzinger (IL)
• Rep. Rice (SC)
• Rep. Herrera Beutler (WA)
• Rep. Newhouse (WA)
​• Rep. Valadao (CA)

The impeachment process moving forward would likely take several days, even weeks in a Senate trial, and would occur after Trump leaves office; however, if found guilty, Trump could lose his Presidential pension and could be barred from ever holding office again as part of what is known as "late impeachment."

A Senate trial would also take place under a new Democrat-led Senate where Chuck Schumer will become Senate Majority Leader. Also, a two-thirds majority vote is required for a guilty verdict, meaning several Republicans would have to be in favor. This is now more of a possibility, considering 10 House Republicans voted for the impeachment today, compared to only one when he was impeached by the House on December 18, 2019.