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Trump is impeached following vote in House of Representatives – live Trump is impeached following vote in House of Representatives – live
(32 minutes later)
House holds historic vote after day-long debate over two articles, making Trump the third US president to be impeachedHouse holds historic vote after day-long debate over two articles, making Trump the third US president to be impeached
The House has now passed the second article of impeachment, which is obstruction of Congress. The final vote was 229-198, with only Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard voting “present.”
Trump has been impeached on both abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and the two articles will now taken up by the Senate in a trial to determine whether he should be removed from office.
It is widely expected the president will be acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate, but the importance of this moment cannot be understated.
A majority of the House of representatives has declared that Trump has abused his power and obstructed Congress, and he will go down in history as only the third US president to ever be impeached.
Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who voted “present” on both articles of impeachment, has issued a statement explaining her stance, which will certainly prove controversial with the rest of her caucus.
“After doing my due diligence in reviewing the 658-page impeachment report, I came to the conclusion that I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no,” Gabbard said in the statement.
This moment is quickly going viral. After the first article of impeachment officially passed, speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared to shush the House Democrats who started to applaud.
Pelosi has emphasized throughout the day that this is a “sad” occasion, and the speaker reportedly instructed her caucus not to appear celebratory of the inevitable result.
A majority of the House of representatives has now voted in favor of the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress, after passing the first article, abuse of power.
The vote is not final until speaker Nancy Pelosi gavels it in, but the tally is currently 221-165, with only Tulsi Gabbard voting present.
Three House Democrats -- Jeff Van Drew, Collin Peterson and Jared Golden -- have voted “no” on the second article of impeachment, which is obstruction of Congress.
Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard voted “present,” as she did on the first article of impeachment.
With Nancy Pelosi presiding over the House, the speaker called for a vote on the second article of impeachment, which is obstruction of Congress.
This vote will go much the same as the first, with one notable exception: Democratic congressman Jared Golden has said he will vote “no” on this article, despite supporting the first article.
Members have five minutes to cast their ballots.
The House has passed the first article of impeachment against Trump, abuse of power, by a vote of 230-197.
Donald Trump is officially the third president in US history to be impeached by the House.
The members will now move on to the second article of impeachment, which is obstruction of Congress.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi turned in a green “yes” card moments ago, casting her ballot in favor of the first article of impeachment.
After much speculation as to whether she was even going to participate in the vote, congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has voted “present” on the first article of impeachment.
A majority of House members have now voted “yes” on the first article of impeachment, but it is not official until the end of the vote is called.A majority of House members have now voted “yes” on the first article of impeachment, but it is not official until the end of the vote is called.
The vote is currently 219-164.The vote is currently 219-164.
Congressman Collin Peterson has now voted “no” on the first article of impeachment, becoming only the second (and likely last) House Democrat to oppose the article.Congressman Collin Peterson has now voted “no” on the first article of impeachment, becoming only the second (and likely last) House Democrat to oppose the article.
Congressman Ron Kind, who avoided stating publicly whether he would support impeachment, has voted “yes,” as has congressman Jared Golden.Congressman Ron Kind, who avoided stating publicly whether he would support impeachment, has voted “yes,” as has congressman Jared Golden.
Golden, a Democrat from Maine, announced yesterday that he would support the first article of impeachment, but not the second, so his vote will switch to a “no” when that article is taken up.Golden, a Democrat from Maine, announced yesterday that he would support the first article of impeachment, but not the second, so his vote will switch to a “no” when that article is taken up.
As expected, congressman Jeff Van Drew, the Democrat who is expected to switch parties after the impeachment vote and has spent the day on the Republican side of the aisle, has voted “no” on the first article of impeachment.As expected, congressman Jeff Van Drew, the Democrat who is expected to switch parties after the impeachment vote and has spent the day on the Republican side of the aisle, has voted “no” on the first article of impeachment.
Democratic congressman Collin Peterson is also likely to vote “no,” but every other House Democrat is expected to support the first article, which is abuse of power.Democratic congressman Collin Peterson is also likely to vote “no,” but every other House Democrat is expected to support the first article, which is abuse of power.
More than 11 hours after the start of today’s impeachment hearings, the vote is now underway on the first article of impeachment against Trump, which is abuse of power.More than 11 hours after the start of today’s impeachment hearings, the vote is now underway on the first article of impeachment against Trump, which is abuse of power.
House members will have 15 minutes to cast their votes, and many are choosing to do it by hand rather than electronically.House members will have 15 minutes to cast their votes, and many are choosing to do it by hand rather than electronically.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, speaking at his campaign rally in Michigan said, “By the way, it doesn’t really feel like we’re being impeached.”
“We did nothing wrong and we have tremendous support in the Republican party like we’ve never had before,” he said.
Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, has concluded his remarks, wrapping up the debate on the impeachment resolution.
The chamber has now moved on to a vote on the two articles of impeachment.
Minority leader Kevin McCarthy has concluded his floor speech, and intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff is now delivering the final remarks of the impeachment debate.
Schiff accused his Republican colleagues of spending their debate time spewing a lot of “sound and fury signifying nothing.” But the chairman said the Republican argument boiled down to this question: “Why should we care what the president did to Ukraine?”
Schiff went on to say America should care about the plight of its allies, particularly a struggling democracy like Ukraine.
He also encouraged his Republican colleagues to consider the precedent it would set if the House did not impeach Trump, warning it could signal presidents can just ignore congressional oversight.
Minority leader Kevin McCarthy accused Democrats of acquiescing to their “new socialist base” in pursuing the impeachment of Trump.
“It didn’t have to be this way. Is this why we came here to serve? To trample on due process rights? To issue more subpoenas than laws? To appease the new Democrat-socialist base?” McCarthy said.
“Fortunately, the people will have the opportunity to speak up and render their verdict in 11 short months,” the California Republican continued. “To my fellow Americans -- If you approve of the way this House has conducted its business -- if you want to see your tax dollars go towards endless investigations -- support impeachment.
“But if you want to restore a working Congress -- like the previous Congress that listened to you and worked to bring the best economy this country has ever seen and will once again work with the President to get things done for you and your family -- then join Republicans in rejecting this baseless impeachment. That’s what’s wonderful about this system of ours: we are a government of, by, and for the people.”
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy opened his floor speech by sharing a fact that Democrats will “hate to hear”: “Donald J. Trump is president of the United States,” prompting cheers from his Republican caucus.
“He is president today, he will be president tomorrow and he will be president when this impeachment is over,” McCarthy said.
“Here is our choice tonight,” McCarthy continued, “Will we let impeachment become an exercise of raw political power, regardless if it damages our country? Or will we protect the proper grounds and process for impeachment now and in the future?”
Majority leader Steny Hoyer has concluded his floor speech, and congressman Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, is now delivering some remarks.
The final two speakers are expected to be minority leader Kevin McCarthy and intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff.
In his floor speech, majority leader Steny Hoyer praised congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump.
Amash spoke on the floor earlier today, encouraging his colleagues to vote in favor of impeachment for the sake of the country.
“We need not ask who will be the first to show courage by standing up to President Trump,” Hoyer said. “The question we must now ask is who will be the last to find it.”
House Republicans have repeatedly jeered Steny Hoyer as the majority leader delivers his floor speech presenting Democrats’ position on the impeachment resolution.
Trump arrives in Michigan for a campaign rally
As the impeachment debate rolls toward a final vote, Donald Trump has arrived in Michigan, where he is holding a campaign rally tonight.
Upon deboarding his plane, the president did not speak to the press, signaling that he was doing “good,” as he waved off questions.
He did issue a statement on the Affordable Care Act ruling earlier today, reassuring that “this decision will not alter the current healthcare system.”
Besides posting an all-caps tweet decrying “atrocious lies by the radical left” several hours ago, Trump has remained relatively quiet on impeachment today.
Members of Congress may begin voting on articles of impeachment against Trump as he takes the rally podium.
Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer acknowledged the 63 million people who voted for Trump in 2016 but quickly nodded to the 65 million who voted for Hillary Clinton, appearing to prompt some cheers from the Democratic side of the aisle.
The Maryland Democrat also reminded his Republican colleagues that he and the speaker, Nancy Pelosi, resisted the idea of impeachment for months, until the whistleblower complaint on the Ukraine controversy emerged.