Third-ranking party leader, Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming
Cheney was the highest-ranking Republican to back Trump's removal. She said Tuesday: "There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution."
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington
Beutler said Tuesday that her party "will be best served when those among us choose truth." She slammed Trump's "pathetic denouncement" of the violence during the riots.
The U.S. Capitol Rotunda resembled the barracks of a military installation on Wednesday.
The heightened security comes as the House prepares to impeach President Donald Trump a second time for his role in the riot that left five people dead. usatoday.com/story/news/pol…
A tall metal fence surrounded the building as dozens of National Guardsmen stood at the perimeter cradling their rifles.
Police officers and large dump trucks obstructed intersections for blocks surrounding the building. usatoday.com/story/news/pol…
As the House debated, Trump called on his supporters to remain peaceful when Joe Biden is sworn in next week.
"In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind," he said. usatoday.com/story/news/pol…
All the living former presidents released statements condemning the violence and breach of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday while calling for the nation's leaders to unite. usatoday.com/story/news/pol…
On today's #frontpage:
–Violence follows Trump refusal to give up power: Chaos erupted in the U.S. Capitol as the president's supporters stormed the halls of Congress to disrupt a largely symbolic proceeding.
–'Colossal failure': How did law enforcement allow this to happen?
Members of Congress expect a long day of bitter debate today as both houses convene to count Electoral College votes and certify Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
Two mahogany boxes containing sealed certificates of the electoral votes of each state and the District of Columbia are brought in once the session begins.
At this point, any House or Senate member can object to the vote for any reason. The presiding officer will not respond to the objection unless: 1. It’s in writing. 2. It's signed by both a House and Senate member.
A joint session of Congress has begun the final steps of counting the Electoral College votes that will officially make Joe Biden the next president. usatoday.com/story/news/pol…
Vice President Mike Pence said he concluded, after “a careful study of the Constitution,” that he doesn’t’ have the sole power to accept or reject electoral votes. Instead, he said, his role is “ministerial.”