Ignoring that the nation has been a rising to a boiling point since the Obama administration, several Virginia lawmakers have joined a growing chorus of partisans and blame-merchants in calling for President Trump’s removal from office.
With just 13 days left in Donald Trump’s term, a growing list of lawmakers, including Virginia’s two US Senators – Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Mark Warner (D-VA), along with one of their US Representatives, Bobby Scott (D-VA), are laying blame for Wednesday’s Capitol Hill violence at the feet of President Trump, calling for his removal from office.
Just one day after a crowd of people – including Trump supporters and those with nefarious intent – descended on the US Capitol, all three Virginia Democrats insisted invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the President from power was on the table.
“Americans and our allies around the world have been alarmed at the events of the past week,” Scott said in an issued statement. “However, President Trump has been a risk to democracy and national security for many weeks now, and arguably since he first took office. It has become clear that the risk of him staying in office exceeds the risk of him serving out the final days of his term.”
Scott said Trump’s actions “led to the events of this unprecedented and tragic week” and “there are significant risks to our nation if President Trump remains in office.”
Bobby Scott joins McEachin, other lawmakers in calling for Trump's removal https://t.co/mAD0sALH0V
— 13News Now (@13NewsNow) January 7, 2021
Kaine told reporters, “I had colleagues who were afraid. I had colleagues who were sad. I’ll tell you, I was just pissed off. I was so pissed off.”
Kaine also used profanity in referring to some House members who challenged slates of Electoral College electors from states whose elections are still considered suspect. He obvious ignored the fact that members of Congress posed challenges to the Trump electors in 2016.
To any of my Senate colleagues looking to overturn state electoral results and undermine our democracy today: I hope you’ll take a look in the mirror and consider how you want to be remembered in our history books.
Don’t sell your soul to join a toddler in his tantrum.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) January 6, 2021
Kaine demanded an investigation into law enforcement’s failure to prepare for the crowd referring to the chaos as “an insurrection,” a “violent protest,” and an “act of domestic terrorism.”
He said he supports efforts to invoke the 25th Amendment, under which the Vice President, Congress and a majority of Cabinet Secretaries declare the President unable to carry out his duties.
Warner said he was in agreement with Kaine Scott and other legislators – including Republicans – as he also criticized law enforcement’s preparation and response.
Senator Mark Warner has joined Senator Tim Kaine (both D-VA) in urging the use of the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office before the January 20 inauguration of Joe Biden. https://t.co/QrCpElFkRp
— NBC29 (@NBC29) January 7, 2021
He also referred to the pro-Trump protesters – ignoring the agitators among them – as a “mob” and “domestic terrorists,” adding that they were incited by the president.
Other lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have also suggested the Vice President and Cabinet to enact the 25th Amendment. Additionally, some Republicans, including Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), have turned on the President.
