2nd Trump Impeachment: How Rep. Frank Pallone Voted

HAZLET, NJ — U.S. representatives from New Jersey voted on impeaching President Donald Trump on a charge that he incited the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. The House voted 232-197 in favor, making Trump the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice.

The historic House vote took place a week after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a siege that resulted in five deaths — including the beating death of a Capitol Police officer, multiple arrests and a sprawling FBI investigation. The impeachment comes a week before President-elect Joe Biden is to be inaugurated in a city on high alert amid ongoing threats of violence.

“I voted to impeach President Trump today because he made it clear on January 6, 2021 that he is unfit to serve as President of the United States. The President called on domestic terrorists to come to Washington and encouraged them to attack the Capitol. These same people – his supporters – went through the Capitol hunting Members of Congress and the Vice President in order to stop the democratic transition of power," Pallone said Wednesday in a statement.

"As a result, five people are dead, including a Capitol Police officer from New Jersey who was murdered by the President’s violent mob. President Trump’s willful incitement of insurrection poses a clear and imminent threat to our country’s democracy. The House of Representatives had no choice but to once again fulfill its duty our Founders gave to Congress in the U.S. Constitution. We will not tolerate anyone who seeks to use elected office to willfully support the overthrow of a government for the people and by the people.”

On Monday, Pallone took to social media deeming Trump “unfit to serve as President” and announcing his support of the second impeachment.

“I supported the introduction of this impeachment article today. If the Vice President does not take up the 25th Amendment, then the House will move on impeachment later this week,” Pallone wrote.

I supported the introduction of this impeachment article today. If the Vice President does not take up the 25th Amendment, then the House will move on impeachment later this week. https://t.co/D33MLPvpdr
— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) January 11, 2021

“President Trump’s conduct on January 6, 2021, followed his prior efforts to subvert and obstruct the certification of the results of the 2020 Presidential election,” the four-page resolution reads, also noting Trump’s Jan. 2 phone call to Georgia’s Secretary of State encouraging the official to “find” enough votes for him to overturn the President-elect’s victory in the state.

“In all of this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government. He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and imperiled a coequal branch of government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.”

“Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office,” the resolution continues.

Pallone is a Democratic congressman who has represented New Jersey's Sixth Congressional district since 1998. The sixth district stretches from Carteret and Woodbridge into Edison, New Brunswick and down to Asbury Park. It hugs the Bayshore coastline, including towns such as Aberdeen, Matawan, Hazlet, Sea Bright and West Long Branch. Related: Pallone: 'Trump's Disdain For Our Democracy In Full View'

As of Jan. 12, the FBI has charged 18 rioters with felonies and about 40 others have been charged in state and local jurisdictions in connection to the insurrection. Nearly 120 people have been arrested or identified as participants through photos and videos, according to The Hill. Read more: Trump's Failure To Accept Blame For Riot 'Pathological': Schumer

Following the insurrection last week, Pallone called the president a threat that "should be removed as quickly as possible through any legal means necessary." He also advocated for Trump’s permanent ban from social media. Read more: Rep. Frank Pallone: Remove Trump 'As Quickly As Possible'

The FBI has warned of armed protests in the days ahead of Biden’s inauguration in Capitol and statehouses in all 50 states. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is warning residents to stay home on Jan. 20 and avoid getting anywhere near possible protests in Trenton or elsewhere.

"Color us in the category of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best and erring in the side of overpreparing," Gov. Phil Murphy said during his Wednesday news conference.
Col. Patrick J. Callahan, the superintendent of the State Police, said New Jersey and federal partners are "monitoring what we're hearing with regard to protests around the country and certainly in New Jersey." Read more: State, Local Police Brace For Possible Violence At NJ Capitol

The agency is also monitoring chatter on an encrypted messaging platform about plans by Trump extremists to form perimeters around the Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court building as Biden takes the oath of office.

What's Next?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will not allow the Senate to vote to convict Trump while the Republicans control the majority. The Democrats are set to take control of the Senate by the end of the month.

• If an impeachment trial is allowed in the Senate, it will be after Biden is inaugurated, McConnell said Wednesday. McConnell has reportedly said he believes Trump committed impeachable offenses, and that moving forward with a vote would make it easier for Republicans to purge Trumpism from their party.

• Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-ranking member of the House Republican leadership, is among more than two dozen Republicans who signaled they would break from their party and vote to impeach Trump.

• "There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution," she said in a statement Tuesday.

Trial In The Senate: Two-thirds of the chamber would have to vote to convict Trump. The Senate exonerated Trump last year on charges of abuse of power and contempt of Congress after special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, but the charge against Trump this time is more clear-cut.

Under the Constitution, the Senate could prevent him from holding federal office again and strip him of other perks afforded to former presidents.