A week before the end of the term of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, tonight (Wednesday to Thursday) the American House of Representatives voted for his removal, on the charge of inciting the revolt that led to the riots on Capitol Hill last week. In doing so, Trump became the first president in American history to be twice subjected to a dismissal process.
232 lawmakers voted in favor of ousting Trump, 197 opposed and five abstained. Ten Republicans joined the Democratic majority that approved the opening of the impeachment process. The process is now underway in the Senate, which will take place only after Joe Biden’s inauguration. The chances of Trump being convicted and ousted are slim, as it requires a two-thirds majority of senators.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during the debate that Trump was an “immediate obvious danger” and that he should leave. Republican minority leader Kevin McCarthy also blamed Trump for the riots in the Capitol, in which five people were killed, but voted against his removal. Claiming that this is too fast a procedure.
After the vote in the House of Representatives, the White House issued a recorded statement of the outgoing president. Trump has repeatedly condemned the riots in the Capitol and called on the American public to refrain from violence, but ignored the decision to put him on trial in the Senate.
“I want to make it clear,” Trump said. “I unequivocally condemn the violence we saw last week. There is no place for violence and vandalism in our country, and they have no place in my movement. No real supporter of mine can support political violence. Whoever does this does not support our movement but attacks it and attacks our country. We can not stand it. “
“Over the past year, political violence has gotten out of hand,” Trump declared. “It must stop. Whether you are right or left, Democrats or Republicans – there is never any justification for violence. The United States is a nation of laws. Those who were involved in last week’s attack will be prosecuted.” Commenting on reports of the possibility of violent protests ahead of Biden’s inauguration, Trump said: “Every American has a right to have his voice heard in a dignified and peaceful manner, but there must be no violence, no breaking the law. Everyone must obey our laws and obey law enforcement. “The federal government will use all necessary resources to maintain order.”
Trump later commented on his blockade by major social networks, saying it was an attack on free speech: “These are tense and difficult days. The attempt to censor or silence our citizens is wrong and dangerous. What is needed now is to listen to each other, not to silence.” At the end of his speech, the outgoing President called on the citizens of the United States to unite: “Let us be elected to move forward together, united as one people, for our families, for our communities and our country.”