President Donald Trump impeached by US House; 1st US president impeached twice

WASHINGTON  – President Donald Trump has been impeached by the U.S. House over the violent siege of the Capitol. He is the only president to be twice impeached.

The president faced a single charge of “incitement of insurrection” in Wednesday’s vote after he encouraged his supporters, as he put it, “fight like hell” against election results.

The impeachment proceedings came one week after a violent, pro-Trump mob breached the Capitol, sending lawmakers into hiding. Five people died.

The House voted 232-197 to impeach Trump, with 10 Republicans joining with Democrats to charge him with incitement of insurrection. Security was tight at the Capitol for Wednesday’s vote, beefed up by armed National Guard troops, with secure perimeters set up and metal-detector screenings required for lawmakers entering the House chamber.

During the debate before the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked Republicans and Democrats to “search their souls.” Trump is the first American president to be impeached twice.

Actual removal seems unlikely before the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Republican leader would not agree to bring the chamber back immediately, all but ensuring a Senate trial could not begin at least until Jan. 19.

Still, McConnell did not rule out voting to convict Trump in the event of a trial.