What You Need To Know About The Trump Impeachment
The votes are in: Donald Trump has become the third president in United States history to be impeached on 19 December 2019 after the House of Representatives voted to impeach him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
The impeachment vote capped off a three-month investigation into the president’s actions in regard to the Ukraine. There was an intense six-hour long partisan debate over impeachment on the House floor in rapid-fire fashion, resulting in:
- 1. 230 to 197 vote on the first article of impeachment – abuse of power.
- 2. 229 to 198 vote on the second article – obstruction of Congress.
Essentially, as per CBS News, the House accused Trump of “betraying the country for his own political benefit and recommending the Senate remove him from office.”
Mixed reactions
The historic decision has spurred several reactions as well as comments, ranging from excitement, dissatisfaction to it being the “best Christmas present”:
trump being impeached is the best christmas present ever 🎁
— christina perri (@christinaperri) December 19, 2019
I expected this moment but I expected to be more joyful. Maybe jump up & do a happy dance. Maybe.
But I’m just sad and heartbroken. What he’s left behind can’t be erased with this vote.
The bigotry and xenophobia he’s emboldened. The lies.
It will take generations to recover.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 19, 2019
Sleeeeep im-heavenly-peaaaachhhhh. SLEEeep im-heavenlllly-peachhhh. #happyholidays2019
— Cole M. Sprouse (@colesprouse) December 19, 2019
Thank you to the House of Representatives for doing your constitutional duty. Everyone please call your senators and tell them to remove this evil man from office. https://t.co/IKEPnZE84B
— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 19, 2019
This President is not being Impeached because he’s a liar or immoral or a misogynist or a white nationalist or incompetent or ignorant. He’s being Impeached because he committed the High Crimes of Abuse of Power & Obstruction of Congress. — Rob Reiner (@robreiner) December 19, 2019
So what’s going to happen next?
As of now, Trump is still the president. The 73-year-old businessman-turned-politician will now face a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate next month, in January 2020, where a two-thirds vote is necessary for conviction.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shared via Twtter that he will announce by the end of the week the date for the start of the Senate trial, according to sources. The Senate will decide whether to convict Trump and remove him from office.
Source: CNN