OnPolitics: Impeachment (redux) ?

Mabinty Quarshie, USA TODAY
New black metal fence surrounds most of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., two days after pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. Friday, Jan. 8, 2021
New black metal fence surrounds most of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., two days after pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. Friday, Jan. 8, 2021

TGIF OnPolitics readers!

It's been a loooong week. And next week doesn't look like it's going to be slow for the political world (Hint: there could be another impeachment).

It's Mabinty, with the day's top news. Let's get to it.

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The fallout from the Capitol riot continues

The death of a U.S. Capitol Police officer is being investigated as a homicide after he died from his injuries following Wednesday's riot.

Officer Brian Sicknick was involved in the agency’s riot response to the pro-Trump mob that breached the U.S. Capitol in an attack that left four demonstrators dead, the agency said in a statement.

👉 U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, whose department was severely criticized for its flawed response to Wednesday's attack, resigned Thursday. Also out: Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger and House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving.

How has President Donald Trump responded?

President Donald Trump on Thursday acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in his strongest words yet as he faces mounting criticism for his handling of the violence that erupted a day earlier.

"A new administration will be inaugurated on Jan. 20," Trump said in a video posted to social media, the closest he has come to conceding the Nov. 3 election. “My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation.”

Trump did not mention Biden by name nor congratulate his rival.

Trump stokes more inauguration drama

Trump confirmed Friday what has been suspected for weeks: He will not attend Biden’s inauguration Jan. 20. “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the inauguration on January 20th,” he announced on Twitter.

What about the VP?

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife “have yet to make a decision regarding their attendance,” spokesman Devin O’Malley said Friday.

A spokeswoman for Biden’s inaugural committee said the president and vice president traditionally do not receive formal invitations. Attendance is coordinated at a staff level “and that is taking place."

Will the House impeach Trump?

House Democrats aren't wasting time in trying to remove Trump from office. Rep. Katherine Clark, the assistant House speaker, told CNN Friday that if Pence and a majority of the Cabinet do not agree to remove Trump from office using the 25th Amendment, the House will move forward with impeachment proceedings as "early as mid-next week."

"We know that we have limited time, but that every day that Donald Trump is president of the United States is a day of grave danger," Clark said.

At least one Republican has indicated he may also be on board the impeachment train.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., told CBS on Friday that if the House advanced impeachment articles, "I will definitely consider whatever articles they might move" because he believes Trump disregarded his oath of office.

Trump's allies dismissed the fresh chatter as nonsense and rejected allegations that Trump's rhetoric helped stoke Wednesday's attack on Congress.

Important news you need to know:

  • Friday is the 10th anniversary of the Tucson shooting that transformed Gabby Giffords' life and has reverberated through the lives of others.

  • Federal judge John Roll was one of the six people killed in the Tucson shooting. This is his story.

  • An 'angry' Pence is now navigating the fallout of his fracture with Trump over the election and Capitol riots.

Take some time to rest this weekend. You deserve it. I'll be back on Monday. — Mabinty

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Capitol riot, Trump Impeachment, Ben Sasse, inauguration: OnPolitics

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