WASHINGTON — Democrats are laying plans for swift impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, even as he's headed out of the White House.
The proceedings could begin as soon as Monday in the House, according to private talks on Friday.
NBC News reported Friday afternoon that Democratic U.S. Reps. Jamie Raskin, Ted Lieu, David Cicilline are planning to introduce articles of impeachment Monday.
If Trump doesn't immediately resign, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she has "instructed the Rules Committee to be prepared to move forward with" Raskin's "25th Amendment legislation and a motion for impeachment."
UPDATE: Speaker Pelosi: If President Trump doesn't immediately resign, "I have instructed the Rules Committee to be prepared to move forward with" Rep. Raskin’s "25th Amendment legislation and a motion for impeachment."
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 8, 2021
"It is the hope of Members that the President will immediately resign," Pelosi said in a statement. "But if he does not, I have instructed the Rules Committee to be prepared to move forward with Congressman Jamie Raskin’s 25th Amendment legislation and a motion for impeachment. Accordingly, the House will preserve every option – including the 25th Amendment, a motion to impeach, or a privileged resolution for impeachment. With great respect, our deliberations will continue."
As of Friday afternoon, ABC News reported that at least 153 Democrats plan to co-sponsor the measure.
At least 153 Democrats plan to co-sponsor the measure as of Friday afternoon. https://t.co/EL82tKvS66
— ABC News (@ABC) January 8, 2021
Pelosi said she also has spoken to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about preventing an "unhinged" Trump from ordering a nuclear strike in his final days.
President-elect Joe Biden said Friday it's up to Congress whether to pursue a second impeachment of Trump, but he expected lawmakers to be ready to move on his agenda as soon as he is inaugurated.
All this comes after Trump encouraged loyalists to march to the Capitol on Wednesday. The resulting assault led to two violent deaths and three other people dying in "medical emergencies."
