1 FBI Was Warned About "War"
The FBI says no stone is being unturned in the investigation of last week's deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol. Speaking at a briefing, Assistant FBI Director Steven D'Antuono [[dan-TWAN-oh]] told reporters the investigation is a nationwide, 24-7 operation. He says that more than 150 case files have already been opened in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials. Echoing that, Federal prosecutor Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney for Washington DC, called the investigation “unprecedented.” To that end, Sherwin vowed to find and prosecute those involved in the siege, whether they committed suspected felonies or misdemeanors. He said investigators are looking at significant federal cases tied to sedition. As for reports that the FBI had advance warning? D'Antuono admits that the FBI received numerous reports of possible threats before the Capitol attack and said that information was shared with law enforcement partners in DC. Some of that intel was shared within 40 minutes of receipt. That includes the U.S. Capitol Police, the agency that lead the failed response.
2 House Passes Measure To Urge Pence To Invoke 25th Amendment
The House is passing a measure urging Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment. The vote was 223-205, with one Republican joining all Democrats to vote yea. This, as Pence already sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying he would not remove President Trump from power under the amendment. Pence said the move “wouldn't be in the best interest of the nation.” As we told you before, the 25th Amendment resolution is a prelude to expected House impeachment of the President. And impeachment? That’s seeming more likely all the time. While many have hedged on supporting efforts to oust Trump via the 25th Amendment, they’re much warmer to the idea of impeachment. At last check, more than 20 Republican lawmakers have come out in support of that. Among them? Liz Cheney – the third-highest ranking GOP member in the House and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been described as “welcoming” the impeachment. The Democratic-led House is expected to vote on whether to impeach Trump today.
3 Trump Defends What He Said Before Riot Ensued
When it comes to impeachment, President Donald Trump says Democrats need to be careful what they wish for. At a number of press appearances as well as when he gave a speech in Texas, Trump has a message: he’s not backing down – and he didn’t do what he’s accused of. Trump criticized the House for pushing Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, and slammed Democratic moves to impeach him a second time. Trump talked to reporters outside the White House and called impeachment "absolutely ridiculous." He also warned that it is causing tremendous anger and could pose great danger to the country. Trump argued that his prior speech to the violence was "totally appropriate” and called impeachment a continuation of the "greatest witch hunt" in U.S. history. Still, he reiterated that he wants no violence and said it should always be avoided. He also called on people to respect law enforcement and to be peaceful.