The nine Hoosiers serving in the U.S. House of Representatives voted along party lines Wednesday on the question of impeaching President Donald Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol that led to six deaths, including two Capitol Police officers.
The two Indiana Democrats — U.S. Reps. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, and Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis — voted in favor of impeaching the Republican president, making Trump the only chief executive to be impeached twice in the history of the United States.
Impeachment was just the 17th vote Mrvan cast since succeeding retired U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Gary, as Northwest Indiana's representative in Congress on Jan. 3.
During 10 days in Washington, D.C., Mrvan has been sworn-in to office, survived a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol as the results of the presidential election were being certified, and voted to impeach the president — a far cry from his initial plans to focus on speeding COVID-19 vaccinations, education, veterans issues and economic growth.
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Nevertheless, the new Region representative remains undaunted. He said Wednesday, in his first speech from the House floor, that his support for impeachment will enable Congress to promptly begin tackling those other issues.
"Since the events on Jan. 6, I spoke with a group of ministers from Gary, Indiana, and they told me how they are praying for unity and justice in our nation," Mrvan said.
"It reminded me of the moment when those of us who were on the House floor on Jan. 6 were huddled together in a secure room after the attack — House Chaplain (Margaret) Kibben led us all in prayer. Let us remember that moment, let us rekindle that prayer, for those three minutes when we were all united to preserve our democracy and justice."
"I support the article of impeachment so that we can move forward to do the work that our constituents sent us here to do," Mrvan said.
In contrast, Illinois U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, said she voted to impeach Trump because she believes he is "a clear and present danger to our nation."
"The president’s actions amount to treason," Kelly said. "He incited a deadly insurrection against the American government to stop the peaceful transfer of power. Today, truth has triumphed over the blatant lies of this president and his enablers who sought to delegitimize a free and fair election."
Voting against impeachment were all seven Indiana House Republicans: U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart; Jim Banks, R-Columbia City; Jim Baird, R-Greencastle; Victoria Spartz, R-Noblesville; Greg Pence, R-Columbus; Larry Bucshon, R-Evansville; and Trey Hollingsworth, R-Jeffersonville.
Notably, four of those Republicans — Walorski, Banks, Baird and Pence — last week also attempted to give the Trump mob what it wanted by voting to throw out electoral votes from Arizona and/or Pennsylvania in the hope of getting Trump a second term, despite Trump losing both the electoral and popular vote in the Nov. 3 election to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden.
Altogether, 10 Republicans crossed party lines, including Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon, to join 222 Democrats in voting to impeach Trump. A total of 197 Republicans and 0 Democrats opposed impeachment.
Following the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said it will not be possible for the Senate to hold a trial to decide whether to remove Trump from office before the president's term expires at 11 a.m. Region time Jan. 20.
However, the Senate still can take up the impeachment after Trump no longer is president and use it to permanently bar Trump from ever again holding federal office, or deny Trump the pension and other post-presidency benefits to which he'd otherwise be entitled.
U.S. House impeachment resolution against President Donald Trump
IN THEIR WORDS: Midwest elected officials react to U.S. Capitol breach
IN THEIR WORDS: Midwest elected officials react to U.S. Capitol breach
Elected officials react to U.S. Capitol breach
Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn America’s presidential election and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House.
Here's how elected officials in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin reacted to the situation.
Photo by Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Democrat
"I’m disgusted watching the violence playing out inside and around the Capitol," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said in a social media post. "First and foremost, I pray for the safety of our first responders, elected officials, staff and the public.
"This violence is abhorrent and is nothing like what the founders envisioned for this nation. The peaceful transition of power is a bedrock of our democracy. It is sacred and must be protected.
"Donald Trump has incited a violent coup attempt. And his enablers share responsibility for this, pure and simple."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Channahon
As supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger tweeted: "This is a coup attempt."
He then responded to a tweet by President Donald Trump, who said: "Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!"
Kinzinger responded: "You are not protecting the country. Where is the DC guard? You are done and your legacy will be a disaster."
Photo by Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune
Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, Republican of Peoria
"I have always fought for the right to peacefully protest, but there is a stark difference between protesting and rioting," LaHood tweeted Tuesday afternoon. "Lawlessness is never an acceptable answer. This must end now.
"Thank you to Capitol Police and law enforcement for working to keep people safe."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, Republican of Murphysboro
"Americans cherish our right to free speech & peaceful protest," U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, a Murphysboro Republican, wrote on Twitter. "But what’s happening in our nation’s capital is not just unacceptable, it’s un-American. Please pray for peace & the safety of our brave law enforcement & 1st responders."
Photo by Associated Press
Illinois U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, Republican of Taylorville
"This is a sad day for our country," U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Taylorville Republican, said on Twitter. "The lawlessness has got to stop. Protestors must leave the Capitol so Congress can resume the process of confirming the Electoral College vote. My staff and I are currently safe. More to say later."
Photo by David Proeber, The Pantagraph
Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Democrat
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, said in an interview with NBC News that she was evacuated from the Capitol and is safe with a couple of her staff members.
“I never in my wildest dreams would I think Americans would do this,” she said.
Duckworth said she supports peaceful protest but “this is a mob. This is a riot.” She said the mob following “the will of a wannabe tin-pot dictator.”
On Twitter, she said: “I have spent my entire adult life defending our Constitution and people’s rights to peacefully demonstrate. I never thought I’d need to defend democracy from an attempted, violent overthrow in our own nation’s Capitol. I will not yield to those who seek to harm our democracy.”
Photo by Erin Hooley, Chicago Tribune
Indiana U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, Democrat of Indianapolis
"Everything that's happening in DC today — from the political theater inside the Capitol, to the unruly protests outside of it — is an insult to our Democracy," U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis, wrote on Twitter. "Congress is here to serve the people. The people chose Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and we must uphold their choice."
Photo by Andrew Harnik, Associated Press
Indiana U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, Republican of Elkhart
"Every American has the right to exercise their First Amendment rights, but violence and destruction are never the answer," U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart, said on Twitter. "Stop these attacks on our country now and keep the protests peaceful. Grateful to the U.S. Capitol Police for protecting everyone in our Capitol."
Provided Photo
Indiana U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, Republican of Columbia City
"Peaceful protest is healthy, but what is happening at the U.S. Capitol right now is unacceptable and un-American," U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, said on Twitter. "Those participating in lawlessness and violence must be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Provided Photo
Indiana U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, Republican of Evansville
"Supporters of Donald Trump please stand down and leave the Capitol," U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Evansville, said on Twitter. "I do not condone any form of violence. A peaceful protest is your Constitutional right but what is happening now is not lawful. It is un-American."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, Republican of Jeffersonville
"The day started with democracy at the Capitol, people debating and asserting the views of millions of Americans," U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Jeffersonville, wrote on Twitter. "But what happened this afternoon at the Capitol is not democracy and not reflective of the ideals we hold so dear. There is no space in our system of government for violence or vandalism, and none should be tolerated here or anywhere in our great land."
Provided Photo
Indiana U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, Republican of Noblesville
"We are a country of laws and the lawlessness in and around the U.S. Capitol today is unacceptable," Indiana U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz said on Twitter. "The actions of those who have stormed the Capitol only hurt their cause. Please let the democratic process play out peacefully."
Provided Photo
Indiana U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Republican
"What we’re seeing at the Capitol is wrong, hurts the cause of election integrity, and needs to stop immediately," U.S. Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana wrote on Twitter. "Rioting and violence are never acceptable."
Photo by Alex Brandon, Associated Press
Indiana U.S. Sen. Todd Young, Republican
"In America we have a right to peacefully protest, but what has occurred today goes against everything we stand for as a nation," U.S. Sen. Todd Young said on Twitter. "This is not a peaceful protest – it is violence and it is reprehensible. This must stop."
Photo by Sarah Silbiger, Associated Press
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, Republican of Glenbeulah
Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman told the Wisconsin State Journal he wants to see more leadership from Trump to call off the protests, and wants the certification of Biden's win to "wrap up" as soon as possible, potentially without all members of Congress being present. Shortly afterward, Trump posted a short video on Twitter in which he again baselessly claimed he won the election but urged protesters to "go home."
Grothman declined to say whether he supported the objections to Biden's win but added that the certification is largely ceremonial and should be treated as such by Trump's supporters.
"I think it's important there be a little more leadership here, and I wish the president would get on TV and do what he can to encourage people to disperse," Grothman said. "I think people for whatever motivation have implied that this day, which is normally a day for perfunctory ceremony, is going to be a day of great significance, and that I think is irresponsible."
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, Democrat of Milwaukee
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, Democrat of Madison
Some Wisconsin Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, put the blame on Republicans for encouraging the protests and slammed Trump for "inciting domestic terrorism."
"Remember "stand back & stand by"? We saw this violent fascism coming, and the GOP encouraged it," Pocan said, referring to Trump's comments during the campaign when he sidestepped calling out the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, Republican of Green Bay
"This is banana republic crap that we’re watching happen right now," Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher said, while also condemning fellow Republicans such as U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who planned to object to the outcome of the election.
"The objectors over the last two days have told me, 'There is no problem with just having a debate. We know we’re not going to succeed, so we’re just going to object; we’re going to have a debate, we’ll voice people’s concerns and then we won’t actually overturn our entire system of representative government so nothing bad will happen. There will be no cost to this effort,'" Gallagher said. "This is the cost of this effort."
Gallagher told CBS News he believes Congress doesn't have the power to overturn the election, as Trump has repeatedly called for since he lost in November.
Photo by Ebony Cox, Post-Crescent
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, Democrat of La Crosse
Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Kind spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon, denouncing the chaos erupting at the Capitol in the wake of Congress's confirmation of the election.
The 12-term representative from La Crosse called it a "sad day," but said he was not surprised by the events unfolding.
"I ask my colleagues — who for months now have spread lies about the integrity of the ballot box, unfounded accusations lacking any evidence or facts about voter fraud in this election — what did they expect the reaction to be?" he said.
"They have unleashed dark forces in our society now who think that this is entirely appropriate to attempt a coup d'état of our government because of what they've been led to believe," Kind said.
Provided Photo
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, Republican of Minocqua
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who was joining with Johnson in objecting to the results, said during a phone interview that he was in the House chamber as debate was ongoing.
“And then all hell broke loose," Tiffany said. He was escorted to a safe location.
Although those who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday were Trump supporters, Tiffany, one of Trump's staunchest supporters, said both Democrats and Republicans need to urge calm among their supporters. He pointed to the sometimes violent protests that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody last May and the shooting of another Black man, Jacob Blake, in August by police in Kenosha.
“What needs to happen is people on both sides of the aisle, they need to start calling this out and make people stop it," Tiffany said.
Photo by Michael P. King, Associated Press
Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Republican
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, said he planned to object to at least some states' electoral votes for Joe Biden, perpetuating baseless claims of election fraud that have in part caused the very protest that descended on the Capitol building.
On Tuesday afternoon, Johnson called for demonstrators to disperse.
"Please, if you are in or around the Capitol, respect law enforcement and peacefully disperse," Johnson tweeted.
Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo via Associated Press
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