Schneider Calls On Invocation Of 25th Amendment to Remove Trump

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield), who represents the 10th congressional district of Illinois, has joined a growing number of members of Congress calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office. The sentiment comes on the heels of Wednesday's violence in Washington D.C. that included a mob of pro-Trump demonstrators breaching the U.S. Capitol.

"Today, America witnessed a mob, not of patriots, but rather rioters, looters, and domestic terrorists motivated by the incitement of the President of the United States, Donald Trump," Schneider said in a statement. "President-elect Biden called on President Trump to ‘step up’ to defend our nation and our Capitol. Mr. Trump has failed to do so, leaving not only the Congress in danger, but also the system of laws that this nation is so firmly and necessarily founded upon. I fear that to enable nearly two more weeks of such lawlessness would be to risk the future of our great democracy."

Amid the chaos, one person was killed, three others died from medical emergencies and 30 were arrested past curfew. Mayor Muriel Bowser extended her public emergency for D.C. residents for a total of 15 days.

Pro-Trump Protests In Springfield, Chicago Amid Chaos In D.C.

Schneider's district includes all or parts of Beach Park, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Fox Lake, Glencoe, Grayslake, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Libertyville, Morton Grove, Mundelein, North Chicago, Northbrook, Prospect Heights, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Vernon Hills, Waukegan, Wheeling and Zion.

“If Mr. Trump will not step up to the task of leading our nation as President, then he should immediately step down," Schneider said. "If he will neither lead nor step down, then he has proven himself ‘unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,’ and it is therefore necessary that the Vice President immediately invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office.”

Schneider's sentiments echo those of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who called on Congress Wednesday to impeach and remove Trump.

"Two weeks is too long for Donald Trump to remain in office, where he can continue to incite more untold violence," Pritzker said in a statement.

A letter signed by 19 members of Congress was sent to Pence Wednesday, referring to Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, reports Newsweek. It suggested Trump is "not mentally sound and is still unable to process and accept the results of the 2020 election." The number of members of Congress who support the action continues to grow Thursday.

Following the violence, Schneider and fellow members of Congress returned to the Capitol Wednesday night for a joint session of the Senate and House as part of the Electoral College process to formally count the electoral votes officially making Biden president and Kamala Harris vice president. The session concluded early Thursday morning.

Related:
Trump Mob Breaches Capitol; 1 Killed; 30 Arrested Past Curfew
Gov. Pritzker Urges Congress To Impeach, Remove President Trump
Biden Election Certified After A Day Of Violence On Capitol Hill