impeachment Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

After Speaking Out, Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler Heads Toward Clash With Her Own Party

By NWPB News February 14, 2021

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler on Election Night in Vancouver, Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler thrust herself into the national spotlight on Friday when the Washington Republican came out with a stunning account of Donald Trump's actions on the day of the Capitol insurrection. In a statement put out on the eve of the vote in Trump's Senate impeachment trial, Herrera Beutler said that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told her that in a Read More

Senate Votes 57-43 On Impeachment Charge, Not Enough To Convict; 7 GOP Vote ‘Guilty’

By NPR News February 13, 2021

Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump - Senate floor - February 9, 2021

A majority of senators voted to convict Trump — 57 to 43, including seven Republicans. But two-thirds, or 67 votes, is needed to convict. It was the second time Trump was acquitted in an impeachment trial. The seven GOP senators who voted to convict Trump Saturday were: Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Lisa Murkowski of Read More

Impeachment Trial Day 4: Trump’s Team Wraps Case In Under 3 Hours, Focuses On Free Speech

By PBS Newshour February 12, 2021

In this image from video, Michael van der Veen, an attorney for former President Donald Trump, answers a question from Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. CREDIT: Senate Television via AP

Attorneys for former President Donald Trump presented a speedy defense argument Friday in the Senate impeachment trial, using less than three hours to make the case the proceedings were a partisan smear campaign by Democrats, and that Trump should be acquitted because his call to “fight” the election was a figure of speech protected by the First Amendment.Read More

How To Watch, What To Know: Your Guide To The Impeachment Trial Of Donald Trump

By PBS Newshour February 12, 2021

We have a special place in history. Never have Americans been so experienced in presidential impeachment as we. Two impeachments in just more than a single year. Nonetheless, experience does not yield understanding. Impeachment is a rare and confusing process. This is just the fourth presidential impeachment in history. And each impeachment process and set of arguments is Read More

Impeachment Trial Day 3: Democrats Wrap Their Case As Trump’s Defense Prepares Friday Arguments

By PBS Newshour February 11, 2021

The House impeachment managers concluded their arguments in the Senate trial Thursday with a forceful condemnation of former President Donald Trump, arguing that he should be convicted to send a message that extremism and violence have no place in American politics.Read More

Impeachment Trial Day 2: Democrats Highlight How Close Rioters Came To Encountering Senators

By NPR News February 10, 2021

Del. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a House impeachment manager, played senators new video and audio footage documenting the violent mayhem of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. CREDIT: Handout/Getty Images

House impeachment managers showed chilling new footage to senators during Day 2 of Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial, highlighting just how close the violent mob got to then-Vice President Mike Pence and congressional lawmakers on Jan. 6.Read More

Impeachment Trial Day 1: Six Republicans Join Democrats In Saying It’s Constitutional

By NPR News February 9, 2021

The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump will move forward after the Senate voted Tuesday that the trial of a former president is constitutional. Trump was impeached by the House for inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The Senate Tuesday vote was 56-44, with six Republicans joining all 50 Democrats.Read More

Trump’s 2nd Impeachment Trial Starts With Debate On Constitutionality

By NPR News February 9, 2021

Lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., is expected to argue that the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump is constitutional, even if Trump is no longer in office. CREDIT: Senate Television via/AP

The Senate trial of former President Donald Trump for one article of impeachment — incitement of the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 — starts Tuesday with a debate over whether the Constitution allows for prosecution of a president once he leaves office. The debate comes about a year after the Senate acquitted then-President Trump on two counts of abuse of power and Read More

Trump’s 2nd Impeachment Trial Begins. Here’s What You Need To Know

By NPR News February 8, 2021

House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., seen leaving the Senate floor after delivering the article of impeachment on Capitol Hill on Jan. 25. They will deliver the case against former President Trump starting Tuesday, Feb. 9. CREDIT: Melina Mara-Pool/Getty Images

President Trump made history when he became the first president to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives. Roughly a year ago, the Senate acquitted Trump on two articles — abuse of power and obstruction. This time he faces one article approved by the House arguing he incited an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the day that Congress was required by Read More

Donald Trump Names New Defense Team Ahead Of Senate Impeachment Trial

By NPR News January 31, 2021

Bruce L. Castor Jr., a former district attorney who declined to press sexual-assault charges against Bill Cosby in 2005, is one half of former President Donald Trump's defense team for his impeachment trial next week. CREDIT: Marc Levy/AP

Former President Donald Trump has named two new attorneys to head up his impeachment defense ahead of next week's trial in the Senate. Trump was in need of new representation following the reported departure of all five members of his defense team this weekend. Now leading the team are attorneys David Schoen and Bruce Castor Jr. — both experienced in criminal defense.Read More

House Formally Transmits Article Of Impeachment Against Trump To Senate, Setting Up Feb. 9 Trial

By NPR News January 26, 2021

L-R: U.S. House Clerk Cheryl Johnson, Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. David Cicilline walk walk through the Capitol's Statuary Hall to deliver the article of impeachment for incitement of insurrection against former President Trump to the Senate floor on Monday evening. Tasos Katopodis/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

At about 7 p.m. ET Monday, House impeachment managers delivered to the Senate an article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump, a move that prompts preparations for a historic trial.Read More

Central Washington GOP Leaders Demand Dan Newhouse Resign Over Impeachment Vote

By NWPB News January 26, 2021

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., speaks as the House of Representatives debates the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. CREDIT: House TV-AP

Most of the Republican county leaders in U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse’s congressional district on Monday called for the lawmaker to resign for being one of 10 GOP members of the House to vote for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump. Newhouse said he will not resign.Read More

Senate To Begin Trump’s Impeachment Trial Week Of Feb. 8

By NPR News January 22, 2021

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y at the U.S. Capitol Friday. CREDIT: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the sole article of impeachment for incitement to insurrection against former President Donald Trump will be delivered to the Senate on Monday and a trial against the Republican will begin the week of Feb. 8.Read More

What’s Next For Dan Newhouse And Jaime Herrera Beutler After They Voted To Impeach Trump?

By NWPB News January 21, 2021

Final vote tally from CSPAN to impeach president Trump

Observers say the votes to impeach from U.S. Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Dan Newhouse signal a ‘civil war’ playing out within the GOP nationwide.Read More

2 Washington Republicans Join Democrats In Voting For Impeachment

By NWPB News January 13, 2021

Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler spoke on the U.S. House floor on Jan. 6, 2021, after the mob attack on the Capitol, arguing against objections to the Electoral College certification in Congress. CREDIT: CSPAN/Screenshot

The U.S. House voted 232 to 197 Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time. Democrats were joined by 10 congressional Republicans – including two from Washington state. Read More

U.S. House Votes To Impeach Trump A 2nd Time, But Senate Trial Time Unknown

By NWPB News January 13, 2021

The House of Representatives is on track to impeach President Trump for the second time in 13 months — which would make him as the only president to receive the rebuke twice. This time, though, impeachment could be bipartisan. Republicans all opposed the House vote in December 2019, arguing that it was politically driven. But now some GOP lawmakers are joining Democrats in Read More

President Trump Commutes Sentence Of Longtime Friend And Adviser Roger Stone

By NPR News July 10, 2020

Roger Stone leaves federal court after a sentencing hearing in February in Washington, D.C. CREDIT: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

The president has used his clemency power to spare Stone a prison sentence following his conviction in federal court. It's the latest official intercession in a case involving a Trump friend.Read More

Alexander Vindman, Key In Impeachment, Retires Over ‘Bullying, Intimidation’ By President Trump

By NPR News July 8, 2020

Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman arrives on Capitol Hill in October as part of the impeachment inquiry. Controversy has grown over an abnormal stall in Vindman's promotion to the rank of full colonel. CREDIT: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Vindman is retiring "after it has been made clear that his future within the institution he has dutifully served will forever be limited," his lawyer said Wednesday.Read More

President Trump Fires Inspector General Who Advanced Whistleblower Case That Led To Impeachment

By NPR News April 4, 2020

Michael Atkinson arrives at the Capitol last October where he was questioned about the whistleblower complaint that exposed a controversial July phone call the president had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. CREDIT: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Atkinson first raised concerns about a complaint involving President Trump's communications with Ukraine, which led to the impeachment inquiry. Read More

‘I Did Nothing Wrong’: Trump Defiant After Acquittal As He Addresses Supporters At White House

By NPR News February 6, 2020

President Trump arrives to speak to the media, one day after the U.S. Senate acquitted on two articles of impeachment, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. CREDIT: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Senate found President Trump not guilty of the impeachment charges against him. "We went through hell, unfairly," he said in a statement at the White House. Read More

‘Not Guilty’: President Trump Acquitted On 2 Articles Of Impeachment As Historic Trial Closes

By NPR News February 5, 2020

Article 1 of the impeachment, regarding abuse of power, garnered 48 "Guilty" votes, with only Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney crossing party lines. CREDIT: Senate Television / screengrab

Senators voted on Wednesday afternoon to acquit President Trump on two articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — after a historically unusual but typically contentious trial.Read More

Impeachment Trial Winds Down In Closing Arguments, With Final Vote Coming Wednesday

By NPR News February 3, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., gives a thumbs-up as he leaves the Senate chamber during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the Capitol, Jan. 31, 2020. CREDIT: Steve Helber/AP

House Democrats and President Trump's defense team made their final arguments Monday in the Senate impeachment trial before lawmakers vote Wednesday on whether to remove Trump from office. Both sides presented opposing versions of the president's handling of aid for Ukraine last summer and the impeachment proceedings so far, before ultimately arriving at divergent conclusions.Read More

Impeachment Trial Heads Toward Finish Line This Week After Senate Republicans Deny Witnesses

By NPR News February 2, 2020

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk along the South Lawn as they depart from the White House for a weekend trip to Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. CREDIT: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

The key question of President Trump's impeachment trial was answered Friday evening: There will be no new witness testimony, including from former national security adviser John Bolton. Final arguments will begin 11 a.m. on Monday and will not exceed four hours total. The House's impeachment managers and the president's defense team will receive equal time.Read More

No Witnesses In Impeachment Trial: Close Senate Vote Signals Trump Will Likely Be Acquitted Soon

By NPR News January 31, 2020

Senators cast their vote on the motion to allow additional witnesses and evidence to be allowed in the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. The motion failed with a vote of 51-49. CREDIT: Senate Television via AP

The vote was not a surprise, following announcements from key Republican senators that they would not be supporting witnesses. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said they do not need to hear testimony, which would prolong the trial.Read More

Day 9 Recap: Senators Wrap 2nd Day Of Questions; Vote Expected Friday On Witnesses

By NPR News January 30, 2020

Chief Justice John Roberts, who reads the questions at the impeachment trial, blocked one query from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., which may have revealed the identity of the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry. Senate Television via Getty Images

Senators weighing impeachment charges against President Trump spent Thursday firing questions at lawyers as they did the day before, just as the prospect of former national security adviser John Bolton's appearance as a witness continues to stoke speculation. The Senate will enter its next phase Friday — considering whether to allow witnesses and evidence.Read More

Day 8 Recap: Senators Trade Questions For Impeachment Managers And President Trump’s Lawyers

By NPR News January 29, 2020

White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin answers a question during the impeachment trial against President Trump Wednesday. CREDIT: AP

The Senate on Wednesday night concluded the first of two days full of questions in the impeachment trial of President Trump. The proceeding offered clues about the thinking of senators, but the session consisted mostly of trial lawyers on both sides magnifying arguments they have already delivered.Read More

Day 7 Recap: President’s Team Wraps Arguments, Setting Stage For Senators’ Questions

By NPR News January 28, 2020

File photo. President Donald Trump speaks to attorney and impeachment defense team member Alan Dershowitz, right, as he arrives for Christmas Eve dinner at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Dershowitz says he hasn't changed at all and has a long history of representing people whose views he doesn't necessarily agree with. Dershowitz is part of President Donald Trump's defense team at the Senate impeachment trial. CREDIT: Andrew Harnik/AP

President Trump's defense team completed its arguments Tuesday against his removal from office in the Senate impeachment trial. "I think we've made our case," White House counsel Pat Cipollone said. "All you need in this case is the Constitution and your common sense." The trial resumes Wednesday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.Read More

Day 6 Recap: Trump’s Defense Continues, Saying Nothing In Bolton Revelations Rises To Impeachment

By NPR News January 27, 2020

In this image from video, White House counsel Pat Cipollone speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. CREDIT: Senate TV via AP

As President Trump's legal team pressed the case for acquittal on Monday, they repeatedly made two points: the charges against Trump do not meet the constitution's criteria for impeachment. And if the president is removed from office for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, it will set a "dangerous" precedent.Read More

‘Take Her Out.’ President Trump Heard Discussing Firing Ambassador To Ukraine In Recording

By NPR News January 26, 2020

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch before testifying to the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. CREDIT: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In the 2018 recording, the president can be heard ordering the firing of his top envoy to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch. "Get rid of her," he says. Read More

Day 5 Recap: President Trump’s Team Opens With Vow To Deflate Democrats’ Case

By NPR News January 25, 2020

President Trump's personal attorney Jay Sekulow (center) stands with his son, Jordan Sekulow (left), and White House counsel Pat Cipollone in the Capitol on Saturday. CREDIT: Julio Cortez/AP

President Trump's legal team opened its response to the Democrats' allegations with a rare Saturday session that said the accusers' facts were wrong and Trump must preserve his office.Read More

Day 4 Recap: Democrats Wrap Opening Argument With Exhortation To Act

By NPR News January 24, 2020

House Manager Adam Schiff (center) leaves after speaking to reporters during the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump Friday. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

On day 4 of the impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., warned in some of his strongest language yet that what he called Trump's venality and moral bankruptcy would only grow worse if Congress allows him to remain president after what Democrats say he's committed.Read More

Day 3 Recap: Democratic Impeachment Managers Continue Making Their Case

By NPR News January 23, 2020

House impeachment manager Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., laid out what he called the legal theory for impeachment as the House is pursuing it. CREDIT: AP

Congress has the power to impeach and remove a president over conduct that may not violate black-letter law — and President Trump's actions qualify, House Democratic impeachment managers argued Thursday.Read More

Day 2 Recap: Senators Implored To Consider Magnitude Of The Moment In Impeachment

By NPR News January 22, 2020

L-R: Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries head toward the Senate Chamber before the start of President Trump's impeachment trial Wednesday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

With the ground rules having been settled in the early hours after sometimes bitter litigation between the House delegation and Trump's legal team, senators returned Wednesday to hear the formal opening of the case.Read More

Day 1 Recap: Senate Adopts Rules Of Impeachment Trial After 13 Hours Of Debate

By NPR News January 22, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks out of the Senate Chamber before the start of President Trump's impeachment trial on Tuesday. CREDIT: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

After a long day and night of dueling between the House managers calling for impeachment and attorneys for President Trump declaring the articles of impeachment "ridiculous," the Senate adopted a set of rules that will govern its impeachment trial, in which opening arguments will get underway Wednesday.Read More