Impeachment Part Deux? The political fallout from Wednesday's violent insurrection of the U.S. Capitol continues, with the Democrat-controlled House reportedly meeting next week to vote on impeaching Trump for a second time, something that has never happened before in American history. MSNBC's Chris Hayes will undoubtedly approve, having endorsed the idea in his opening monologue Thursday evening. Impeachment is likely to pass the House, with Democrats in the majority, but once again faces hurdles getting sufficient votes in the Senate to actually remove Trump from office. Last time around, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) was the sole Republican vote for removal. This time, he might be joined by Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) but the effort still faces an uphill battle. 25th Amendment Others are calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, including Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). Just go away quietly The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board -- hardly a bastion of liberalism or Never Trump-ism -- joined the chorus of voices calling for Trump to go, saying he should resign. "It is best for everyone, himself included, if he goes away quietly," they wrote. Hawley howls Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is finding himself the focus of ire for his role in leading the objection to the certification of the Electoral College votes, which many connected to the incitement of the Capitol riots. Simon & Schuster cancelled Hawley's book contract, and he was a target of criticism on both Fox News and MSNBC Friday morning. Hawley struck back on Twitter, calling the loss of the book deal "Orwellian." Still, the photo of Hawley raising a fist to cheer on the Trump supporters gathered outside the Capitol building -- taken before the protests took the violent turn -- is likely to be a defining image of the day. Sidney sued Dominion Voting Systems is suing attorney and serial fabulist Sidney Powell for $1.3 billion in damages for her "wild" and "demonstrably false" accusations she made against the company in her efforts to help Trump overturn the election results in a series of bizarre legal complaints that were swiftly tossed from state and federal courts all over the country. Bye Betsy Add Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to the list of Trump administration officials who are resigning in the wake of the insurrection at the Capitol. More fallout Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke at a press conference Thursday to announce that she had received the resignation of the House Sergeant at Arms and was asking for the resignation of the Chief of the Capitol Police too, for the botched law enforcement preparation and response to the Capitol riots. Pelosi's wish was granted a few hours later. Senate Majority Leader (soon-to-be Minority Leader) Mitch McConnell also announced the Senate Sergeant at Arms had resigned. Scary The spate of law enforcement resignations and the calls for investigations are looking even more justified as more eyewitness testimonials are being heard about the violent turn the pro-Trump protest took. One New York Times photographer shared stunning descriptions of the day's events, fearing that he and his colleagues would be killed by the rioters. That's not hyperbole, and a Reuters reporter had an even more harrowing story of multiple rioters who said they wanted to find and execute Vice President Mike Pence. Pardonpalooza Trump is reportedly planning another string of pardons in the waning days of his presidency, including some of his staunchest allies, family members, and even a rapper. See the rumored list here. Kayleigh cuts and runs White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany read a short statement to reporters about the events at the Capitol and then immediately darted out of the room without taking any questions. Not going Surprising pretty much no one who's paid attention over the past few months, Trump announced (via Twitter, how else?) that he will not attend Biden's inauguration. Also unsurprising: the reaction to Trump's announcement, much of it mocking. 6.5.0 |