WCVB-TV
By Sharman Sacchetti
BOSTON -One week after the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, all nine U.S. representatives in the Massachusetts congressional delegation voted to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time in two years.
The unanimous vote from the all-Democratic delegation happened Wednesday night when the U.S. House of Representatives voted 232-197 to impeach Trump.
“Domestic terrorists broke into the United States Capitol that day, and it’s a miracle that more people didn’t die,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, of the 2nd Congressional District of Massachusetts, on the House floor Wednesday.
Massachusetts lawmakers say Trump incited the violent mob and should thus be removed from office.
“Every single day poses a grave danger to the people and the Constitution,” said Rep. Kathrine Clark, of the 5th District.
Those in the Bay State delegation are also criticizing Republicans who are calling for unity in their reasoning for voting against impeachment.
“It’s a convenient thing to hear from, literally, the most divisive administration in history,” said Rep. Seth Moulton, of the 6th District.
“They’re a little bit late, I think,” said Rep. Stephen Lynch, of the 8th District.
Security has been greatly increased at the Capitol since the Jan. 6 attack and there are growing concerns about more violence.
“It feels like we’re in a fortress,” said Moulton, a former U.S. Marine. “I have never seen the Capitol more secure.
“There are more federal troops in Washington, D.C., right now than in Afghanistan.”
Lynch, who is chair of the House Subcommittee on National Security, says he has been briefed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal prosecutors about groups who are trying to prevent the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
“We do have at least four white supremacy domestic terror groups pledging to come to the Capitol with arms,” Lynch said.
Clark, who was made assistant speaker of the House last November, says Trump should be held accountable, even though he has just a week left in office, and that he should not be allowed to hold federal office again.
“We will not tolerate attacks that are born out of the rhetoric and actions of our own commander-in-chief,” Clark said.
Members of the Massachusetts delegation are pushing for a quick impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate. The office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the soonest he would start an impeachment trial is Jan. 19, the day before Trump is already set to leave the White House.
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