United States President Donald Trump was impeached by the House for a historic second time Wednesday, a week after a riot at Capitol Hill. Trump was charged with “incitement of insurrection”, in a swift and stunning collapse in his final days at the White House.
With the Capitol secured by armed National Guard troops inside and out, the House voted 232-197 to impeach Trump. Ten Republicans joined Democrats in saying Trump needed to be held accountable, and warned ominously of a “clear and present danger” if Congress should leave him unchecked before president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration January 20. Trump is the only US president to be impeached twice. Trump’s fiery speech at a rally just before the January 6 riot is at the centre of the impeachment charge against him. At least five people died in the violence that ensued as pro-Trump protestors breached barricades and advanced into the halls of the Capitol building, smashing windows and brawling with police officers. Even though the trial won’t happen until Trump is already out of office, it could still have the effect of preventing him from running for president again.
