1 Impeachment, Part Two Is Underway
It looks like House Democrats aren't waiting for President Trump to leave office next week. As promised, they brought forward an article of impeachment against President Trump – but more on that in a minute. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is demanding that Vice President Mike Pence invoke the 25th Amendment to oust Trump from office. Republicans blocked a Democratic resolution urging Pence to take that action by objecting to a "unanimous consent" request from Democrats, shelving the issue. The problem? They want to debate the issue, which a unanimous consent wouldn’t allow. Still, Dems plan to bring it back for a vote of the full House today. If Pence goes along, a majority of the Cabinet would also have to sign onto invoking the 25th. That would make Pence acting President...and according to various sources, he neither has the inclination nor the Cabinet members to make that happen. President-elect Joe Biden is set for inauguration on January 20th. If the House is successful, a Senate trial could occur sometime after Trump exits. As for the impeachment resolution itself, it accuses Trump of instigating the violent and deadly riot at the Capitol last week. House Democrats Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and David Cicilline of Rhode Island put forward the single article of impeachment charging Trump with "incitement of insurrection." Trump could be the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. The Democratic-led House impeached the President over the Ukraine scandal in late 2019. Trump was subsequently acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate.
2 Armed Protests Reportedly Planned Through Inauguration Day
The FBI is warning law enforcement agencies across the U.S. of possible armed protests at all 50 state capitol buildings starting on Saturday – and rolling through to Inauguration Day. The FBI also warned that a group has threatened to travel to Washington, D.C. and stage an uprising if Congress removes President Trump from office. Such actions are causing great concern considering last Wednesday's mob attack on the U.S. Capitol – it left five people dead including a Capitol police officer. But as part of the reported demonstrations, there are also reports of planned “attacks” on federal buildings and court houses. On top of all that? Threats have reportedly been made against President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Aside from law enforcement officials mobilizing, the President is also issuing an emergency declaration for the nation's capital to protect next week's presidential inauguration. The emergency declaration will run until January 24th. It allows federal agencies to step in and coordinate any relief efforts that are needed. And according to reports, that will include 15-thousand troops in the DC area to keep things calm.
3 Fauci Optimistic About Concerts Returning This Fall
The nation's top infectious disease expert says concerts could make a comeback this year. Speaking at a virtual conference with the Association of Performing Arts Professionals over the weekend, Dr. Anthony Fauci said artists could take the stage in front of audiences sometime in the fall of 2021. He said this can happen if "everything goes right" and coronavirus vaccine distribution allows for 70- to 85-percent of the population to be vaccinated. Fauci said attendees will most likely have to still wear masks but he thinks events will be at almost full capacity seating. On a related note, President-elect Joe Biden says his top priority will be getting more coronavirus vaccinations into the arms of more Americans. After getting his second vaccination in Delaware, Biden urged Americans to wear facemasks and practice safe social distancing.