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US Congress, Including 10 Republicans, Impeaches Trump for 2nd Time

The US House of Representatives has impeached President Donald Trump for “incitement of insurrection” at last week’s Capitol riot.

Ten Republicans sided with Democrats to impeach the president by 232-197.

He is the first president in US history to be impeached twice, or charged with crimes by Congress.

Mr Trump, a Republican, will now face a trial in the Senate, where if convicted he could face being barred from ever holding office again.

But Mr Trump will not have to quit the White House before his term in office ends in one week because the Senate will not reconvene in time.

Mr Trump will leave office on 20 January, following his election defeat last November to Democrat Joe Biden.

The Democratic-controlled House voted after several hours of impassioned debate on Wednesday.

media captionThe storming of the US Capitol

What was Trump charged with?

Impeachment charges are political, not criminal. The president was accused by Congress of inciting the storming of the Capitol with his 6 January speech to a rally outside the White House.

He urged his supporters to “peacefully and patriotically” make their voices heard, but also to “fight like hell” against an election that he falsely told them had been stolen.

Following Mr Trump’s remarks, his supporters broke into the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to suspend certification of election results and take shelter. The building was placed on lockdown and five people died.

The article of impeachment stated that Mr Trump “repeatedly issued false statements asserting that the presidential election results were fraudulent and should not be accepted”.

It says he then repeated these claims and “willfully made statements to the crowd that encouraged and foreseeably resulted in lawless action at the Capitol”, leading to the violence and loss of life.

“President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government, threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of government.”

Last week, 139 Republicans voted against accepting the result of the 2020 election and Mr Trump’s defeat.

What did lawmakers say during the debate?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said on the House floor: “The president of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common country.

“He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love.”

Most Republicans did not seek to defend Mr Trump’s rhetoric, instead arguing that the impeachment had bypassed the customary hearings and calling on Democrats to drop it for the sake of national unity.

“Impeaching the president in such a short time frame would be a mistake,” said Kevin McCarthy, the House’s top Republican.

“That doesn’t mean the president’s free from fault. The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters.”

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Individual in custody, Police investigating fatal shootings

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — One person is in custody, assisting Police with investigations into a fatal shooting incident that occurred at Lower Thibou Avenue.

Lamont Heyliger and Jahquan Merritt were both fatally wounded during the incident which took place on January 11.

Investigations into the case are ongoing and persons with information regarding this matter are urged to contact the Violent Crime Unit by dialing 467-1887, 467-1888, 662-3468, their nearest Police Station or the Crime Hotline at 707 where information can be given anonymously.

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Donald Trump becomes first US President to be impeached twice

President Donald Trump has been impeached by the US House for an historic second time, charged with "incitement of insurrection" over the deadly mob siege of the Capitol in a swift and stunning collapse of his final days in office.

With the Capitol secured by armed National Guard troops inside and out, the House voted 232-197 to impeach Trump. The proceedings moved at lightning speed, with politicians voting just one week after violent pro-Trump loyalists stormed the US Capitol, egged on by the president's calls for them to "fight like hell" against the election results.

EXPLAINER: Why Trump's impeachment is very different this time

LIVE UPDATES: Trump impeachment reaction and analysis

Ten Republicans fled Trump, joining Democrats who said he needed to be held accountable and warned ominously of a "clear and present danger" if Congress should leave him unchecked before Democrat Joe Biden's inauguration January 20.

Trump is the only US president to be twice impeached.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a quick Senate impeachment trial for Trump but did not rule out that he might eventually vote to convict the now twice-impeached president.

A spokesman for McConnell said he had informed Democrats that he would block their effort to quickly call the chamber back into emergency session to put Trump on trial.

The House voted 232-197 to impeach Trump, and McConnell's move means the Senate trial was all but certain to be delayed until after Joe Biden's inauguration as president on January 20.

EXPLAINED: The process of impeachment

Donald Trumpm impeachment vote

Ten Republican politicians, including third-ranking House GOP leader Liz Cheney of Wyoming, voted to impeach Trump, cleaving the Republican leadership, and the party itself.

Cheney, whose father is the former Republican vice president, said of Trump's actions summoning the mob that "there has never been a greater betrayal by a President" of his office.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invoked Abraham Lincoln and the Bible, imploring lawmakers to uphold their oath to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign "and domestic."

She said of Trump: "He must go, he is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love."

Holed up at the White House, watching the proceedings on TV, Trump took no responsibility for the bloody riot seen around the world, but issued a statement urging "NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind" to disrupt Biden's ascension to the White House.

The impeachment proceedings came one week after a violent, pro-Trump mob breached the US Capitol, sending members of congress into hiding and revealing the fragility of the nation's history of peaceful transfers of power.

READ MORE: What's next for Trump after historic impeachment vote

Trump impeachment vote

The riot has also forced a reckoning among some Republicans, who have stood by Mr Trump throughout his presidency and largely allowed him to spread false attacks against the integrity of the 2020 election.

While some have questioned impeaching the president so close to the end of his term, there is precedent. In 1876, during the Ulysses Grant administration, War Secretary William Belknap was impeached by the House the day he resigned, and the Senate convened a trial months later. He was acquitted.

Trump impeachment vote

Mr Trump was impeached in 2019 over his dealings with Ukraine but acquitted by the Senate in 2020.

More to come ….

With AP, CNN

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Why Trump's impeachment is different this time around

WASHINGTON DC, USA: It was one of the most jarring images during Donald Trump's first impeachment, and it wasn't of the President.

Instead it was House Speaker and leading Democrat, Nancy Pelosi using dozens of pens to sign the articles of impeachment, before handing them out as souvenirs.

All this after Pelosi repeatedly declared how "sad" and "solemn" the occasion of impeachment was.

BREAKING: Donald Trump impeached for second time

Nancy Pelosi (second from right), gives pens to (L-R) House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., after signing the resolution to transmit two articles of impeachment against Trump (Photo: January 15, 2020)Some QAnon believers saw a yellow tie worn by Mr Trump as a secret message.

It didn't matter that something similar occurred during Bill Clinton's impeachment, the pen incident angered Republicans, and reinforced many Americans' view that Democrats were engaging in partisan games.

History shows that the impeachment failed in removing Donald Trump from office, and only succeeded in uniting Republicans behind the President.

RELATED: Nancy Pelosi re-elected as speaker of US House of Representatives

Nancy Pelosi and her allies are going down the impeachment path again, and will hope to fare better in their fight to win over the public.

This time things are different.

LIVE UPDATES: Olympic swimmer charged with taking part in US Capitol riot

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., arrives at the House chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, as the House of Representatives pursues an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his role in inciting an angry mob to storm the Capitol last week.

First, the genesis of this impeachment was broadcast live into living rooms, shocking Americans in the process.

In the first impeachment, not only did the accusations surround foreign aid and pressuring Ukrainian officials to open an investigation into Joe Biden, but the evidence was largely based on testimony.

While some of it, like the testimony from Colonel Vindman, was compelling. These were issues that didn't directly affect many Americans.

Adding to the Democrats case this time is the support from some Republicans.

READ MORE: What's next for Trump after historic impeachment vote

A sign stands in the box of a pickup truck during a gathering calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump at South High School before a car rally through the streets of downtown Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

While a lot of focus has been on the President's speech preceding the riots, many in Donald Trump's party are more angry at the lack of action by him to stop the violence.

The President was at a rally in Michigan when the first impeachment vote was held and jubilantly announced that no Republicans in Congress voted to impeach.

This time, while the majority of Republicans are still arguing against impeachment, tellingly, most have not defended the President. Instead they are saying the impeachment proceedings are being rushed and are divisive.

Many of these Republicans are not innocent of hypocrisy either. Some are the same ones who stood by, or even promoted the false and divisive claims the election was stolen.

Ultimately, the fate of Donald Trump may well rest with Mitch McConnell.

The Republican Senate leader is the one to watch, as he alone can swing the numbers to convict the President which would almost certainly result in him being banned from holding office.

McConnell is known for playing a political long game, but this one is moving quickly.

EXPLAINED: The process of impeachment

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Post-Cabinet briefing for January 11

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The Team Unity Cabinet of Ministers met on Monday, January 11, 2021, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris. Several issues affecting the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis were deliberated on.

• The Cabinet was advised of the usual statistics locally, regionally, and globally on the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Commissioner of Police gave an update to the Cabinet on the crime statistics. He reported that there is a 32 percent decline in crime for the same period last year, and that preparation is being made to train more persons in the security aspects of quarantine.
• The Chief Executive Officer of St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) informed the Cabinet on the statistics relating to the movement of cargo into the Federation and stated that due to the COVID-19 global pandemic the tonnage transported by air into the Federation had decreased by 14 percent and by sea 20 percent.
• Cabinet was informed that the rollout for the COVID-19 monitoring app is ready and will soon be employed to track and trace persons in quarantine and isolation.
• The Chief Medical Officer gave an update to the Cabinet on the medical report of the student from the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine who was attacked by a shark.
• Cabinet approved submissions that will incentivize business and stimulate economic activity in the Federation.

The January 11 Cabinet meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dr. Timothy S. Harris, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, National Security, Sustainable Development, Constituency Empowerment, and Human Resource Management and Information.

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Nevisian scholarship awardee appreciative of opportunity to study in Romania

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — Miss Kianna Lawrence of Nisbett Settlement in Newcastle, Nevis, is proud to be the first Nevisian awarded a scholarship to study in Romania.

The scholarship was awarded by the Romanian Government to pursue studies in Graphic Design at the West University of Timisoara. Ms. Lawrence expressed appreciation for the opportunity to further her studies.

“I am a proud recipient of the Romanian Scholarship which affords me the opportunity to pursue a Bachelors’ Degree in Graphic Design at the West University of Timisoara,” said Ms. Lawrence. “I am humbled and ecstatic to be one of the first recipients of this Romanian Scholarship as I have always dreamt of studying in Europe.

“Europe is known for its architecture and design, hence gaining knowledge and experience from this region would be a steppingstone in advancing my career,” she said. “Research is an open door to success, however, to be successful you must take advantage of every opportunity that can help you achieve your goal.”

The scholarship recipient also urged others to take advantage of opportunities to advance their career goal.

“Many persons have asked me ‘why are you going so far?’ My simple reply is, ‘the US is also far,” said Lawrence. “Never turn down an opportunity to achieve your goals, regardless of how far you must go to achieve them. Trust in God and he will direct your path.”

Ms. Lawrence was awarded the scholarship by the Romanian state through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

NIA offers congratulations

The Ministry of Human Resources in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) extended congratulations to Ms. Lawrence.

“The Ministry of Human Resources congratulates Miss Kianna Lawrence on her well-deserved success, and wishes her all the best throughout the course of her studies,” the ministry said in a press release on January 13.

The Romanian scholarship programme is offered by the Romanian state through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to citizens from countries that are not members of the European Union.

The programme affords citizens the opportunity to undergo bachelors, masters or doctoral degrees in fields of Political and Administrative Studies; Education Sciences; Romanian Culture and Civilization; Journalism; Technical Studies; Oil and Gas; Agricultural Science; Veterinary Medicine; Architecture; and Visual Arts.

The Ministry of Human Resources also expressed gratitude to their colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to Hon. Mark Brantley, Minister responsible for the Ministry.

“The team has demonstrated much dedication in ensuring that the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to receive full support regarding higher education scholarship opportunities,” said the press release.

“The Ministry of Human Resources is extremely delighted, and will continue to ensure that Public Servants as well as the Nevisian communities are cognizant of the advantages of scholarships and their benefits to our economic growth and stability.”

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