Trump is just the third US president in history to be impeached after a House vote Wednesday night.

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has become the third president in US history to be impeached after the House of Representatives voted Wednesday on two charges against him — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

The House passed the first charge, accusing Trump of abusing the power of his office, Wednesday evening on a 230–197 vote. The House then passed the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress, on 229–198 vote.

 

The abuse of power article alleges that Trump pressured Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election by withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid unless the country’s president announced an investigation into former vice president Joe Biden and his family.

The obstruction of Congress article is tied to Trump directing executive branch agencies and officials not to comply with congressional subpoenas. Several administration officials subsequently refused to testify during impeachment proceedings.

Two Democrats voted against impeaching Trump, Reps. Collin Peterson of Minnesota as well as Rep. Jeff Van Drew who plans to leave the Democratic Party in the coming days and become a Republican after Trump personally appealed to him. No Republicans voted in favor of impeachment, but Rep. Justin Amash — an independent who left the Republican party earlier this year after saying Trump committed “impeachable conduct” — voted with Democrats.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Hawaii Democrat who is running for president, voted present on both articles.

Watch the House floor live:

Before the votes began Wednesday evening, Rep. Adam Schiff, who as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee oversaw much of the House's impeachment investigation, said, "What is at risk here is the very idea of America."

"If you say the president may refuse to comply, may refuse lawful process, may coerce an ally, may cheat in an election because he's the president of our party, you do not uphold our Constitution. You do not uphold your oath of office," Schiff added. "Well, I will tell you this. I will uphold mine. I will vote to impeach Donald Trump."

Read More (...)