A bipartisan majority of lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to impeach Donald Trump seven days from the end of his term, assuring he becomes the first US president to be impeached twice.
With nearly all votes counted, the number supporting impeachment on the single charge of "incitement of insurrection" for Trump's role in whipping up a violent mob surpassed 217, the majority threshold out of 433 current House members. At least 10 Republicans joined the Democrats.
Impeachment of the president will trigger a trial in the US Senate, which is not expected to begin its proceedings until Trump, 74, is out of office.
Trump had urged calm earlier today and said he opposed any violence among supporters as Congress debated his impeachment for inciting insurrection.
"In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for, and it is not what America stands for," Trump said in a statement released by the White House.
"I call on ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You."
The House of Representatives was set to impeach "clear and present danger" President Donald Trump Wednesday, with several key Republicans backing the Democrat-led push to bring down the real estate tycoon in flames a week before he leaves office.
Reflecting nationwide tensions, lawmakers debated the charge against Trump of stoking insurrection against a backdrop of a Washington under a state of siege.
Armed National Guards deployed across the capital and central streets and public spaces were blocked off.
In the Capitol building itself, guards in full camouflage and carrying assault rifles assembled, some of them grabbing naps early Wednesday under the ornate statues and historical paintings.
The expected vote, coming seven days ahead of Democrat Joe Biden's inauguration, would make Trump the first US president to have been impeached twice.
