CBS and only CBS is reporting that cabinet members are discussing invoking the 25th amendment to remove President Trump from office. I will believe it when I see it. But there have been a few hints over the last hours that the national security structure and some critical functions of government are operating separate from President Trump. The Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs conferred with Mike Pence and the Democratic and Republican congressional leaders about bringing in the National Guard. Apparently there were no discussions with the President and Mike Pence eventually gave the order, even though there’s no basis I can think of on which Pence could give such an order.
Continue reading “Again, Who’s President Right Now?”
Today Was A Two-Pronged Attack On Democracy
Longtime TPM Reader DC:
A few thoughts on what we witnessed today from an institutional perspective.
For almost 20 years, I’ve taught a course called Res Publica: A History of Representative Government. It tries to pin down, historically and philosophically, the kinds of questions we should think about when we call our system of government a “republic” or a ‘democracy” or, most properly, a democratic republic.
Pence, Senate Leaders Condemn Trump’s Mob, Resume Process To Formally Certify Biden
Vice President Mike Pence brought the Senate back into session on Wednesday evening with a few words for the Trump-supported angry mob that invaded the Capitol: “you did not win.”
Pelosi Says That EC Vote Will Continue Wednesday Once Capitol Is Cleared For Use
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced in a letter to members of the House that the Congress’ counting the Electoral College votes would resume on Wednesday night once the was Capitol was deemed safe for use.
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Is the President Still President?
We’re in a bit of a fog of war situation. But the statement from the acting Secretary of Defense said he had spoken to Pence and the Republican and Democratic congressional leadership about mobilizing the National Guard. But there was no mention of having talked to the President. Now the Times is reporting that it was Pence who gave the order for the deployment. Now, I guess great that he did that. But on what basis would the Vice President give that order? The Vice President isn’t commander-in-chief. Is the President still President? Is he somehow even in the White House seen to be commanding the the insurrectionists, not functioning as President? That sounds hyperbolic. But again, what’s the legal basis here?
Here’s What Trump Said Right Before His Supporters Stormed The Capitol
Just moments before hundreds of his supporters stormed the Capitol and interrupted a step in the peaceful transfer of power to a new administration, President Donald Trump gave them an order.
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Trump Doubles Down On Incitement In Video While Telling Mob To ‘Go Home’
President Trump doubled down on his bid to overturn the election result in a Wednesday video, telling an angry mob that breached the Capitol building in a bid to overturn the election results, “I know how you feel.”
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Biden Calls On Trump To Go On National TV And Call Off The ‘Insurrection’
President-Elect Joe Biden called on President Donald Trump to go on national television and call off the “mob” as pro-Trump protesters swarmed the Capitol, sending lawmakers, Capitol staff and reporters into lockdown.
Continue reading “Biden Calls On Trump To Go On National TV And Call Off The ‘Insurrection’”
International Community Condemns Siege On US Capitol
International leadership is responding as angry protesters swarm the U.S. Capitol, urged on by President Donald Trump, sending lawmakers, Capitol staff and reporters into lockdown.
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Ossoff Declared Winner In GA Senate Race, Gifting Biden Effective Democratic Control
Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock triumphed over the Republican incumbents in Georgia Wednesday, effectively giving Democrats control of Congress.