US House impeaches Trump for inciting insurrection

The US House of Representatives today voted to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting his supporters last week to attack the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn his election loss.

The Democratic-led House voted 232-197 in favor of impeachment, just one week after Trump urged thousands of supporters to walk to the Capitol and "fight like hell" to keep him in office for a second term. Five people died in the ensuing chaos, as supporters tried to disrupt lawmakers who were voting to formally certify Joe Biden to be sworn in as the US president on 20 January.

But removing Trump from office before his term expires a week from now remains unlikely, even with 10 Republicans crossing the aisle to join Democrats in support of impeachment articles that said Trump's actions had "gravely endangered" the security of the US and threatened its democratic system.

The Senate will not begin an impeachment trial until 19 January at the earliest, and a conviction would need the support of at least 17 Republican senators. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) today declined to use an emergency option to reconvene earlier, even as he said he had not made a final decision on how to vote.

The Senate could still vote to convict Trump after he leaves office, which would also create the option to hold a second vote on prohibiting him from holding federal office. Trump has floated the idea of a run for president in 2024.

Trump yesterday said his remarks to supporters last week were "totally appropriate" and has denied responsibility for what followed. Trump today issued a statement urging against violence and lawbreaking. The Capitol complex, where Biden will be inaugurated, is now being guarded by thousands of national guard troops to deter future attacks.

If an impeachment trial starts next week, it could derail efforts by Biden for the Senate to quickly confirm nominees to key positions in his cabinet. Trump has remained unusually silent during his impeachment, in part because his Twitter account was deactivated last week.

By Chris Knight