“There is no healing without accountability.” – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

We must demand accountability and tell our members of Congress: impeach Trump again. He is a clear and present danger to our country. Remove him from office.

We are all justifiably horrified by the attack on the United State Capitol – and on our Democracy – last week. While the attempted coup was shocking, it was not at all surprising given the months of lies and dangerous rhetoric from outgoing President Trump. He, and all those responsible, must be held accountable.

What is Congress doing to hold Trump accountable?

The Democrat-led House of Representatives is taking multiple steps to remove President Trump from office. First, a resolution urging Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, and then a vote to impeach the President.

25th Amendment Resolution

Today, Tuesday, January 12, the House is debating and voting on a resolution that demands Vice President Pence invoke the 25th Amendment and remove President Trump from office. The point of the 25th Amendment is to defend the stability of the republic and maintain continuity of power. At issue today, Section 4 of the 25th Amendment “provides procedures to transfer presidential powers and duties from the president to the vice president when a president is unable or unwilling to recognize his or her inability.” It empowers the Vice President, together with a majority of the Cabinet, to declare the President unable to discharge his powers.

RESOLUTION calling on Vice President Michael R. Pence to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments of the Cabinet to activate section 4 of the 25th Amendment to declare President Donald J. Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting President.

Read the full resolution demanding use of the 25th amendment.

Realistically, Vice President Pence is highly unlikely to invoke the 25th Amendment. That doesn’t mean the House shouldn’t pass the resolution. Indeed, the goal of passing the resolution is sort of a way to say, “If you don’t do something about Trump, we will.” And that brings us to the next step: impeachment.

Impeachment Resolution

As early as tomorrow, Wednesday, January 13, the House is expected to vote on impeachment. The resolution is a single Article of Impeachment: Incitement of an Insurrection.

The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives ‘‘shall have the sole Power of Impeachment’’ and that the President ‘‘shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors’’. Further, section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits any person who has ‘‘engaged in insurrection or rebellion against’’ the United States from ‘‘hold[ing] any office . . .  under the United States’’. In his conduct while President of the United States—and in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed—Donald John Trump engaged in high Crimes and Misdemeanors by inciting violence against the Government of the United States.

Read the full text of the Articles of Impeachment

A majority of the the House will affirm the Article of Impeachment. Notably, the House Republican caucus will not “whip” its members, meaning leadership will not pressure Republican members to vote against impeachment. Indeed, they have indicated members should vote their “conscience.” This is a marked shift from the impeachment vote last year when Republicans were united in opposition. It is more important than ever that your member of Congress hears from you!

Once the Article of Impeachment is passed by the House, it will go to the Senate for trial and vote. If the Senate finds Trump guilty by a two-thirds majority, he is removed from office. Obviously, he is leaving office January 20 when Joe Biden is inaugurated, but that doesn’t mean the Senate shouldn’t move forward with a hearing and conviction. They must take action to set the precedent that Trump’s behavior is anti-American and in clear violation of his duties to our country. If this isn’t an impeachable offense, what is?

Tell your members of Congress: Impeach and Remove Trump

Votes are happening as soon as this evening, so it is important to call your members of Congress ASAP. Today we need to focus on calling our House Representative.

Not sure how or who to call? Follow these step by step instructions for calling your member of Congress.

Here’s a short script if you call today:

Hello, my name is [name] and I am a voter from zip code [five digit zip]. I am calling today to urge you to support the resolution demanding the Vice President invoke the 25th Amendment. Last Wednesday, Donald Trump proved that he is incapable and uninterested in executing the duties of his office. He is a danger to our republic and must be removed.

In order for our country to unify and move forward, Trump must be held accountable for his actions. He must be removed via the 25th Amendment or impeached and removed. Thank you in advance for voting your conscience, doing what’s right and voting to protect our democracy.

Here’s what to say if you call after the 25th Amendment resolution vote and before the impeachment vote:

Hello, my name is [name] and I am a voter from zip code [five digit zip]. I am calling today to ask you to vote in favor of impeachment. Donald Trump has clearly committed a high Crime and Misdemeanor by inciting violence against the Government of the United States. It is unconscionable to ignore his behavior. There must be consequences for his role in inciting and encouraging the violent mob that interrupted our constitutional election process. Thank you in advance for standing up for our democracy.

Additional Actions To Demand Accountability

Calling your Congressperson’s office directly is the most effective and timely action you can take to make your voice hard today. Here are some quick additional things you can do to demand accountability.

1. Send a fax to your Representative or Senator. Use the script above as a starting point. Click here to fax a Representative and here to fax your Senators.
2. Text 25th to 50409 and Resistbot will send a message to your Congressperson in support of the 25th Amendment resolution.
3. Text Impeach to 50409 and Resistbot will sent a message to your Congressperson supporting Impeachment.
4. Tell your member of Congress to remove President Trump from office immediately using the Moms Demand Action form.
5. Demand the immediate impeachment of Donald Trump with the NAACP.
6. Sign a petition with MoveOn to say Enough is Enough.