(Middle: Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) takes the oath to defend and support the Constitution.)
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi stated that she will move forward with impeaching President Trump for a second time if Vice President Mike Pence does not invoke the 25th amendment.
Virginia’s entire Democratic delegation in the House has indicated that they support impeaching the President for his involvement in the insurrection that took place in Washington D.C. on January 6.
Central Virginia Representative Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) issued a statement on Monday stating that she cosponsored the impeachment article for the protection of the United States. “This man – the President of the United States – incited the insurrection, and he must be held accountable for the gross violation of his oath and the betrayal of his office,” Spanberger said on Monday. “If Vice President Pence, a target of this insurrection, will not do his duty and invoke the 25th Amendment, then all who hold our oaths to protect this nation dear will be forced to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting this insurrection.”
Spanberger was in the House chamber when insurrectionists made it to the door and began to try and enter. All of the legislators made it out of the chamber safely with assistance from Capitol Police, but Spanberger recounted the tense moments in the chamber. “The memories of climbing over and under the rails as insurrectionists beat on the doors and the sounds of people praying and calling loved ones as we prepared for a potentially horrific confrontation remain fresh in my mind,” said Spanberger. “It was a confrontation that we escaped because of the bravery of the Capitol Police officers who fought the insurrectionists off as they approached, barricaded doors, led them on diversionary chases, and endured brutal beatings at the hands of domestic terrorists.”
Richmond Representative Donald McEachin (VA-04) is also a cosponsor of the impeachment article. Since the night of the insurrection, he has been calling for Trump to be removed from office by either invoking the 25th amendment or impeaching him in the House. “Either President Trump needs to be immediately impeached & convicted or the Vice President & the Cabinet must invoke the 25th Amendment,” wrote McEachin. “Remove President Trump from office & allow the Vice President to serve the remaining two weeks until Inauguration Day.”
Virginia Beach Representative Elaine Luria (VA-02), who is also a sponsor of the article, said that she is supporting impeachment in order to uphold her oath to the Constitution. “Today I cosponsored the article of impeachment against President Trump,” wrote Luria on Monday. “His attempts to overturn our election while spreading blatantly false misinformation resulted in last week’s failed insurrection. I continue to uphold my oath to our Constitution.”
Hampton Roads Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03) is also a cosponsor of the impeachment article and he said that impeachment is the only option the House has at this time. “No one, not even the President, is above the laws of our land,” wrote Scott on Monday. “I am co-sponsoring the article of impeachment.”
Virginia’s remaining Democratic Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), and Gerry Connolly (VA-11) have all indicated that they will vote in support of impeachment.
While the Democrats are vocal and united, all four of Virginia’s Republican members of the House of Representatives, Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01), Rep. Bob Good (VA-05), Rep. Ben Cline (VA-06), and Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) have yet to indicate if they will support or oppose impeachment. All four supported Trump’s efforts to prevent the certification of the results from the 2020 election.
President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration is nine days away and safety in the Capitol continues to be a top priority for D.C., Virginia, and Maryland officials.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a joint statement with Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Browser and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan vowing their support to help keep the Capitol region safe between now and President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20.
“On January 20, there will be a transition of power, and we will work together, and with our partners in the federal government, to ensure the safety of the National Capital Region,” said Northam, Hogan, and Bowser in a statement on Monday. “Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the 59th Presidential Inauguration, including last week’s violent insurrection as well as the ongoing and deadly COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking the extraordinary step of encouraging Americans not to come to Washington, D.C. and to instead participate virtually.”
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