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.
Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio
Rep. John Katko of New York
Katko, a former federal prosecutor and moderate Republican who endorsed Trump for reelection, said:
"To allow the President of the United States to incite this attack without consequence is a direct threat to the future of our democracy."
Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois
Kinzinger, a former Air Force veteran who served multiple tours overseas, said there was "no doubt in my mind that the President of the United States broke his oath of office and incited this insurrection."
Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan
Meijer said Wednesday he voted yes with a heavy heart:
“President Trump betrayed his oath of office by seeking to undermine our constitutional process, and he bears responsibility for inciting the insurrection we suffered last week,” Meijer said.
Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington
Newhouse was the first Republican to announce on the House floor that he would support impeaching Trump.
He said that although the article of impeachment is flawed, “there’s no excuse for President Trump’s actions.”
Rep. Tom Rice of South Carolina
Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan
Upton, a moderate, said he would have preferred censuring the president, but he decided "it is time to say: Enough is enough."
Rep. David Valadao of California
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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.”