Donald Trump on Wednesday night became the third United States president to be impeached by the House of Representatives, BBC reported. The House voted on two articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of the Congress – against Trump.
The abuse of power charge received 230-197 votes in favour and was split along party lines as most Democratic Party politicians voted for impeachment and all Republicans against. On the obstruction of Congress allegation, the House voted 229-198, The Guardian reported.
Wednesday’s proceedings began with Republican Party members calling for votes on procedural matters. Following this, the House voted on the rules for impeachment that sparked a six-hour partisan debate on the merits of the two allegations against Trump.
Following the vote, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said that the action “marks the culmination in the House of one of the most shameful political episodes in the history of our nation”. “The President is confident the Senate will restore regular order, fairness, and due process, and will continue to work tirelessly to address the needs and priorities of the American people, as he has since the day he took office.”
Meanwhile, Trump addressed a campaign rally in Battle Creek, Michigan, along with Vice President Mike Pence.
Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton are the two other United States presidents to be impeached by the House. It is, however, anticipated that Trump will be acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Allegations against Trump include that the president tried to coerce his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden in a corruption case. Joe Biden is a frontrunner for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidency.
Trump allegedly tried to use military aid sought by Ukraine, which is facing Russian military aggression, as leverage to put pressure on Zelensky. The House Intelligence Committee has already concluded that Trump abused his power. The president is also accused of obstructing the Congress by not cooperating with the investigation of the House.
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If not for the Founding Fathers, Trump’s punishment would have been more severe than impeachment
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