- Two resolutions were brought against Trump, the first proposing abuse of power; Second to disturb the work of Parliament
- 230 votes in favor and 197 in opposition; Trump said Republican vote did not budge
- The impeachment motion will now be brought against Trump in the Upper House of Parliament – Senate, here Republican Party has majority
- Trump will be the third president to face impeachment in the Senate, motion against Andrew Johnson-Bill Clinton was not passed in the Upper House
US President Donald Trump has become the third President in the history of the country to be impeached in the lower house of parliament (House of Representatives). Two motions were introduced in the House for impeachment against Trump. Trump was accused of abuse of power in the first motion. The second motion accused him of obstructing the work of Parliament during the impeachment hearing. During voting on both resolutions, Democrats voted against Trump and Republicans voted for Trump.
what next…
The Senate will have a impeachment motion against the President for the third time in its 151-year history
The impeachment motion will now be brought in the Senate against President Trump. However, the Republican Party has a majority in the Senate with 100 seats. It has 53 MPs and the Democrat Party has 47 MPs. Democrats will need a two-thirds majority to remove Trump in the upper house. This means that about 67 MPs will have to vote against Trump, which is extremely difficult. The impeachment motion against two presidents — Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton — reached the Senate before Trump in 151 years of history. Both leaders were supported in the Senate.
The impeachment motion passed in the House of Representatives in 1868 on charges of crime and misconduct against US President Andrew Johnson. Eleven articles of charges against him were tabled in Parliament. However, during voting in the Senate, voting took place in favor of Johnson and he got saved being removed from the presidency.
Impeachment was also brought against Bill Clinton in 1998. He was accused of sexual harassment by Monica Lewensky, an intern at the White House. He was approved in the House of Representatives for his removal from office, but could not get a majority in the Senate.
In the Watergate scandal, impeachment action was to take place against former President Richard Nixon (1969–74), but he resigned earlier. He was accused of spying on one of his opponents.
Trump told people – “You see, what’s happening to me”
He was addressing a gathering in Battle Creek, Michigan, while voting was on to impeach Trump in Parliament. Here he said, “We are creating jobs for the people and fighting for the people of Michigan. At the same time, the radical and leftist Congress (Parliament) is full of jealousy, hatred and anger against me. You see what’s happening to me. “
Trump accused of misuse of powers
Trump is accused of pressuring Ukraine to launch an investigation against two Democrats and his rival Joe Biden. Abusing his powers for personal and political gains, he sought foreign help from Ukraine in his favor for the 2020 presidential election. Members of the investigative committee had said that Trump undermined the integrity of the presidential election. He also violated his oath of office. Challenged America’s constitutional systems such as checks and balances, segregation of powers, and rules of law.
After voting in the House of Representatives, the proposal will be sent to the Senate
After voting in the House of Representatives, it will be decided to accept the accusations against Trump. Also, whether or not to send him to the Republican-led Senate to pursue a case to remove him from office. The impeachment motion is expected to be passed in the 435-member House of Representatives. Because, Demacrates are in the majority here. However, the Senate with 100 seats have majority of Republican at 53. In such a situation, there is little hope of getting the impeachment proposal approved. Because a two-thirds majority would be needed to remove the president from office.
People took out rallies against Trump
People rallied against Trump before voting for impeachment motion in the House of Representatives. These rallies ran from Washington DC to New York City and St. Paul Minnesota to Phoenix (Arizona). Meanwhile, protesters demanded impeachment of Trump. People had slogans like ‘no one is above the law’.