Picture : Twitter / ANI
The Capitol Hill looked nothing less than a fort under siege with thousands of National Security Gaurds deployed in and outside of it. The United States of America was witnessing history as its President during it’s full term was being impeached by the House for the historic second time on Wednesday, a week after the shocking and unprecedented riots at Capitol Hill. Donald Trump was charged with “incitement of insurrection”, in a swift and stunning collapse in his final days at the White House.
The House voted 232-197 to impeach Trump. In a first, 10 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.
Meanwhile, following the proceedings, Trump released a video unequivocally condemning last week’s violence, cleverly avoiding the mention of his impeachment. “Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement,” he said. “The incursion of the US Capitol struck at the very heart of our Republic. It angered and appalled millions of Americans across the political spectrum. I want to be very clear. I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week.”
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.
The article now will go to the Senate for an impeachment trial, which is unlikely to begin until next week. Outgoing Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “Even if the Senate process were to begin this week and move promptly, no final verdict would be reached until after President Trump had left office. This is not a decision I am making; it is a fact”.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is deploying 20,000 National Guards with lethal weapons ahead of the inauguration, to prevent any violence as experienced on January 6, with intelligence agencies receiving information about move to create violence and chaos across the country.
As many as 15,000 have already been deployed in and around the Capitol Hill and another 5,000 would be added around the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. This is now twice the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
Truly, President Donald Trumps’ name will not go down well in the American history for many other reasons such as mishandling of the worst pandemic ever, the impeachment only added another feather in his cap of unpopularity!
