Pelosi asks about restricting Trump military acts as lawmakers continue discussing his removal
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked about preventing the President from initiating military acts, including restricting his access from nuclear codes.
“This morning, I spoke to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley to discuss available precautions for preventing an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or accessing the launch codes and ordering a nuclear strike,” read a statement issued by Pelosi. “The situation of this unhinged President could not be more dangerous, and we must do everything that we can to protect the American people from his unbalanced assault on our country and our democracy.”
Lawmakers of both parties continue to discuss the possibility of removing President Trump from office in the final weeks of his administration. Senior officials raised the possibility of using Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to forcefully remove him, according to the AP. Doing so would transfer the president’s power to the vice president.
Pelosi said, though, that if Trump was not removed that way, then the House might move forward with a second impeachment. However, the AP said, even if the House quickly voted to impeach Trump, it isn’t likely to remove him before the inauguration.
Capitol Police officer dies after riots
The U.S. Capitol Police announced overnight that an officer who was injured responding to the riots at the Capitol. Officer Brian D. Sicknick died Thursday from injuries sustained while on duty and physically engaging with the mob, the Associated Press reported.
According to the report, Sicknick collapsed after returning to his division office and was taken to the hospital, where he died.
This brings the total number of people who died during and due to the riot to five.
A statement from Sicknick’s family said they did want to make his death “a political issue,” AP reported. “Brian is a hero and that is what we would like people to remember.”
Pelosi ordered that flags at the Capitol building be lowered to half-staff in honor of Sicknick.
Trump says he will not attend Biden’s inauguration
Trump announced Friday that he will not attend Joe Biden’s inauguration in two weeks.
“To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th,” he shared on Twitter.
He will be the first incumbent presidents to miss the inauguration of his successor since Andrew Jackson, according to AP.
On Thursday the President promised an “orderly” transfer of power.
The riot at the Capitol has also prompted security concerns for Biden’s inauguration.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, plans were already scaled back, AP reported. However, Wednesday’s takeover of the Capitol has raised new concerns about security preparations.
Two cabinet members, multiple administration officials resign
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos both have resigned, along with the acting chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, the deputy national security advisor and multiple other senior administration officials, according to the AP.
Both Chao and DeVos cited the mob storming the Capitol in their resignations, with Chao saying she was deeply troubled by it and DeVos casting blame on President Trump for inciting the mob.
Investigation continues into law enforcement response
The investigation into law enforcement’s preparation for and response to the pro-Trump mob continues. Three top Capitol security officials have resigned, the AP said.
The AP reported that U.S. Capitol Police turned down additional help from the National Guard and the FBI in the days leading up to the vote to confirm the Electoral College votes. Capitol police said that they had only planned for a free speech demonstration and wanted to avoid the appearance that the federal government was deploying active duty or National Guard troops against Americans.
Trump condemns riots
In a new video message on Thursday, President Trump called the riot at the Capitol a “heinous attack,” and saying he was outraged by the violence.
He also said that now that Congress certified the election results, a new administration will be inaugurated Jan. 20, adding that his focus is now on, “ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power.”
Addressing his supporters, he said that he knows they are disappointed, but told them their “incredible journey is only just beginning.”
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