President Trump Impeached by the House

Two articles are passed by largely party-line votes
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 18, 2019 7:29 PM CST
Updated Dec 18, 2019 7:55 PM CST
House Impeaches President Trump
President Trump glances at cheering White House visitors and claps his hands as as he leaves the White House for a campaign trip to Battle Creek, Mich., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The House has impeached President Trump. After a daylong debate, the chamber voted on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power, and Democrats easily passed it, reports the Washington Post.

  • First vote: The final tally on the abuse-of-power article was 230-197, with two Democrats (Reps. Collin Peterson of Minnesota and soon-to-be Republican Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey) voting "no" with Republicans, reports the Hill. Another Democrat, 2020 presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, voted "present." No Republicans voted in favor of impeachment.
  • Second vote: The House passed the second article, obstruction of Congress, by a vote of 229-198. This time, Democrat Jared Golden of Maine joined Van Drew and Peterson in voting no. Again, no Republicans voted in favor.
  • The history: The votes make Trump the third president in US history to be impeached. Next comes a trial in the Senate, which is expected to end in Trump's acquittal on the charges.

The votes took place as Trump was holding a political rally in Battle Creek, Michigan. "It doesn't really feel like we're being impeached," the president told cheering supporters before the first vote took place, reports the AP. He cited "tremendous support" for him among Republicans and said the nation is "doing better than ever before." Earlier, he issued an all-caps tweet: "SUCH ATROCIOUS LIES BY THE RADICAL LEFT, DO NOTHING DEMOCRATS. THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA, AND AN ASSAULT ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!!" (More Trump impeachment stories.)

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