Minnesota Democrats are calling for the removal of President Donald Trump following Wednesday’s riots at the U.S. Capitol.
This could be done through impeachment or invocation of the 25th Amendment, which requires the vice president and a majority of Cabinet members to vote to remove the president.
Sen. Tina Smith wrote on Twitter that the riots at the Capitol “strike at the core principle of our democracy, that the people decide who represents them.”
“The seditionists were incited by the most destructive and anti-democratic president in our history,” she added.
For too long, some political leaders, especially the President, have used their power and position to fuel distrust in our elections with no evidence and no purpose other than to advance their own personal political power. [2/5]
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) January 7, 2021
Rep. Ilhan Omar said she plans to introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump due to “his open sedition”.
Today, Rep. Omar announced articles of impeachment against Donald Trump.
Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/LbEPHBkv5O
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) January 7, 2021
Rep. Dean Phillips stated that he will be remaining in Washington, D.C. to “entertain impeachment or accept invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office.”
In light of yesterday’s horrors and the absence of competency in the Oval Office, I’m staying in Washington to implore the House and Senate stay in session today and tomorrow to entertain impeachment or accept invocation of the 25th amendment to remove the President from office.
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) January 7, 2021
“The President should not serve another day in office. I encourage members of his Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him. We must defend our nation and preserve our democracy,” said Rep. Angie Craig.
The President should not serve another day in office. I encourage members of his Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him. We must defend our nation and preserve our democracy.
— Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) January 7, 2021
Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement that even Minnesota Republican representatives “bear responsibility for the violence their actions have helped unleash.”
Minnesota Sens. Omar Fateh and Jen McEwen released a letter Wednesday denouncing the riots, claiming the law enforcement reaction was more severe during last summer’s Minneapolis riots.
“When unrest was taking place in our state — when the demonstrators included black and brown Minnesotans standing against an unjust system — they were met with the full force of the state to restore law and order,” they claimed.
The Minneapolis riots lasted for four nights and caused an estimated $500 million in damage. A Senate report released in October said Gov. Tim Walz was slow to activate the National Guard and noted that the majority of rioters were released on the scene.
“Leaders on our side of the aisle implored people to stay safe and stay peaceful while leaders on the other side of the aisle called them gangsters and thugs, vilified and blamed them for the problems facing America,” the senators continued.
In the letter, Fateh and McEwen called on Minnesota Republicans to join them in condemning Trump and his words, as well as other Republicans who “encouraged these bad actors.”
Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have called for Trump’s removal as well.
Anna Miller
Anna Miller is a marketing intern at Alpha News and is majoring in entrepreneurship.
