Pelosi Joins Schumer’s Call for Trump Ouster: Congress Update

In this article

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in calling for the removal of President Donald Trump in the wake of what many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle said was his incitement of the mob that stormed the Capitol.

Pelosi said the House may proceed with impeachment if Vice President Mike Pence doesn’t invoke the 25th Amendment — which would also require the backing of the majority of Trump’s cabinet — to oust the president.

Outgoing Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham has separately scheduled a briefing, without stating the purpose.

Pelosi Calls for Trump’s Ouster as President (2:11 p.m.)

Pelosi said at a press briefing Thursday, “the president of the United States incited an armed insurrection against America” with his appeal to supporters Wednesday who went on to storm the Capitol. She joined Schumer in urging Pence to use the 25th Amendment to remove Trump.

“If the vice president and the cabinet do not act, the Congress may be prepared to move forward with impeachment,” she said.

Pelosi said Trump is “a very dangerous person who should not continue in office. This is urgent, an emergency of the highest magnitude.” — Billy House

Schumer Moves to Oust Senate’s Sergeant-at-Arms (1:26 p.m.)

Schumer said Thursday that he will fire the Senate’s security official, Mike Stenger, after Democrats assume control of the Senate over how Capitol police handled the Jan. 6 riots

If “Stenger hasn’t vacated the position by then, I will fire him as soon as Democrats have a majority in the Senate,” Schumer said in a statement.

Pro-Trump rioters were able to enter the U.S. Capitol, making their way into the Senate chamber and damaging property. One rioter even took his seat in the presiding officer’s chair.

The House Appropriations Committee separately announced an investigation into the Capitol Police’s handling of the turmoil. — Erik Wasson

Schumer Calls for Trump to Be Removed by Cabinet (11:34 a.m.)

Schumer called for President Donald Trump to be immediately removed from office, saying he incited an insurrection against the government by encouraging the mob that stormed the Capitol on Wednesday.

Schumer, who’s set to become majority leader, said in a statement that Vice President Mike Pence should invoke the Constitution’s 25th Amendment, using support of the cabinet to take over in the Oval Office until Joe Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20. — Laura Litvan, Steven Dennis

— With assistance by Laura Litvan, Steven T. Dennis, and Billy House

Source: Read Full Article