US Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) kisses House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as he and Senator Mitch McConnell arrive for a joint session to certify the 2020 election results at the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, USA. January 6, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Senior Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer called for the removal of President Donald Trump one day Thursday after a president-exhorted mob overran the Capitol as lawmakers counted President-elect Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
“What happened in the Capitol yesterday was an uprising against the United States, instigated by the president. This president should not remain in office for another day,” the New York Democrat said in a statement.
“The fastest and most effective way – it can be done today – to remove this president from office is for the vice president to immediately remove the 25th amendment, “he continued.” If the vice president and cabinet refuse to stand, Congress must reconvene to impeach the president. “
Biden will become president on Jan. 20 after Trump spewed months of conspiracy theories that widespread electoral fraud cost him a second term in office. More lawmakers have warned that another two weeks into Trump’s presidency could further erode American democracy or lead to more human lives after four people died in the Capitol attack on Wednesday.
White House press officer Kayleigh McEnany did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Schumer’s statement.
– CNBC’s Dan Mangan contributed to this report
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