Trailblazer Mondaire Jones joins resolution to impeach Donald Trump for ‘high crimes and misdemeanours’
Mondaire Jones has joined calls for Donald Trump to be impeached over his role in the Capitol riots. (Michael Noble Jr. for The Washington Post via Getty and MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty)
Congressman Mondaire Jones has joined 12 of his Democrat colleagues in introducing a resolution to impeach Donald Trump over his role in the Capitol riots.
Jones, who made history with Ritchie Torres when they became the first Black gay men elected to Congress on 3 November, 2020, accused the president of abusing his power after he encouraged a mob of white supremacists to storm government buildings on Wednesday (6 January).
The congressman said he was “proud” to join his colleagues in calling for Trump to be impeached over his involvement in the Capitol riots, which resulted in the deaths of five people.
“Just this week, Donald Trump abused his power yet again, pressuring state officials to deny the results of the November election and inciting a violent mob to descend upon the legislative branch – all in an attempt to undermine the integrity of our democracy,” Jones said in a statement on Thursday (7 January).
“We must ensure that this is Donald Trump’s last opportunity to do harm. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in calling for impeachment.
“Hundreds, if not thousands, of Donald Trumps in the Republican Party seek to ascend to higher office, and we must send them a message that no one is above the law.”
Time and time again, Donald Trump has abused his power in an attempt to overturn the results of a free and fair election and undermine the integrity of our democracy.
That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in calling for impeachment. pic.twitter.com/VFDm6XmVBD
— Rep. Mondaire Jones (@RepMondaire) January 8, 2021
The resolution, led by Ilhan Omar, reads: “Donald John Trump has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as president and subversive constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
“Wherefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honour, trust, or profit under the United States.”
Capitol riots highlights ‘different standard’ for Black people.
Elsewhere, Jones told PRI that Trump’s insurrectionist mob would never have been allowed to storm the Capitol if they were Black.
“It said to me what I and most Black people in this country already knew, which is that there is a different standard if you are Black or brown in this country,” he said.
“You can look at the photos of the level of security used during Black Lives Matter protests for racial justice last summer. It was so heightened relative to yesterday.”
There has been much discussion in Washington DC about the possibility of impeaching Trump and removing him from office since his mob stormed the Capitol on Wednesday.
While Trump has just two weeks left in office before president-elect Joe Biden takes power, many have speculated that the 25th Amendment could be used to bring Trump’s time in the White House to an early end.
Under the terms of the 25th Amendment, vice president Mike Pence and his cabinet colleagues would have to agree that Trump is unfit for office, thus removing him from power.
Meanwhile, Trump appears to have finally acknowledged that he lost the presidential election, saying in a video shared on Twitter on Thursday night (7 January) that “a new administration will be inaugurated on 20 January”.
While he promised that there would be a “smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power”, he went on to tell his followers: “I know you are disappointed, but I also want you to know that our incredible journey is only just beginning.”
