Congress Confirms Biden Win; Schumer Calls for Trump Removal

WASHINGTON—The top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer called for President Trump to be immediately removed from office, joining a growing number of lawmakers pressing for the president’s ouster after a violent day where pro-Trump rioters invaded the Capitol building and threatened lawmakers.

“What happened at the U.S. Capitol yesterday was an insurrection against the United States, incited by the president,” said Mr. Schumer (D., N.Y.), who is poised to become the Senate majority leader when Democrats take control of the chamber from Republicans later this month. “The quickest and most effective way—it can be done today—to remove this president from office would be for the Vice President to immediately invoke the 25th amendment. If the Vice President and the Cabinet refuse to stand up, Congress should reconvene to impeach the president.”

While a number of Democrats have called for the move, and one Republican joined Thursday, there did not yet appear to be serious talk among administration officials, according to people familiar with the matter. But the calls highlight the alarm Wednesday’s riot set off and the feeling among many lawmakers from both parties that Mr. Trump provoked it and didn’t condemn the actions strongly enough.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mr. Trump agreed to an orderly transition of power after Congress ratified President-elect Joe Biden’s victory early Thursday. On Wednesday, he encouraged supporters to march to the Capitol and then sympathized with those who broke into the building.