Hogan Says Trump Isn't Fit For Office, Suggests Pence Is Better

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Thursday that it would be best if President Donald Trump (R) resigned. The governor's declaration comes the day after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, hoping to block the final step in confirming Joe Biden (D) as president-elect.

"There’s no question that America would be better off if the president would resign or be removed from office and if Mike Pence (R), vice president of the United States, would conduct a peaceful transition of power over the next 13 days until President Biden is sworn in," Hogan said at a press conference.

On Wednesday, Trump held a rally in Washington, D.C., to stop what he called a stolen election. At the protest, he repeated his unproven claims of voter fraud and election tampering. Thousands attended that event outside the Capitol, but a few hundred broke off.

They blew past a police barricade and breached the floors of Congress. Four people died during the struggle, and 69 were arrested, reports said.

The threat forced lawmakers to push their official count of the Electoral College votes well into the night. Congress eventually reconvened and affirmed Biden's victory. He will be inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Hogan said the mob's attack was an attempted insurrection. Trump gave mixed messages while his supporters overran the Capitol building.

The president started the day alleging widespread voter fraud, a claim that the courts have repeatedly rejected. He then questioned Pence's integrity in overseeing the electoral count.

When the scene devolved, the president called on the Capitol intruders to stop their violence. Trump, however, continued to stand with the crowd, asserting that the election was rigged. The president told his supporters that he loves them and that they are special people.

"Enough is enough," Hogan said. "Enough of the lies. Enough of the hate. Enough of the total dysfunction. Just enough."

At her own Thursday press conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) joined the push against Trump. She suggested that the U.S. House of Representatives may move forward with impeachment if Pence doesn't invoke the 25th amendment.

This constitutional clause allows the president or their cabinet to temporarily transfer presidential duties to the vice president when the commander in chief is unable to perform. The amendment usually comes up when a president is temporarily incapacitated with a health condition or is preparing for surgery that requires anesthesia.

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said Wednesday she is drafting articles of impeachment, hoping to remove Trump from office. To do so, the House would vote on whether to bring charges against the president. If the motion passes, the Senate would vote on whether to remove him.

"It’s clear to me that President Trump has abandoned this sacred oath," Hogan said. "What we saw in the nation’s Capitol was not just an attack on the people’s representatives or historical buildings and our law enforcement. It was an attack on the rule of law."

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RELATED:

• MD Leaders Condemn 'Insurrection' That Overtook U.S. Capitol
• Maryland Police, County Officers Deployed For DC Protest
• Trump Mob Attacks Capitol; 4 Deaths; 69 Arrests; FBI Seeks Tips

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