Trump cabinet members are considering invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the incumbent president from office, CBS News reported on Wednesday citing sources familiar with the matter.
According to the report, they have not yet formally presented the proposal to Vice President Pence, whom the aforementioned amendment would make the US president.
Earlier in the day, Trump protesters violently stormed the US Capitol building, destroying property and seizing the rotunda room, as Congress was trying to certify the results of Democrat Joe Biden's presidential victory. The mass riot erupted after Trump in a speech vowed to never concede and called on the crowd to keep fighting.
As the peaceful rally grew violent, Trump has repeatedly called on protesters to remain peaceful and respect law and order. However, his Twitter account was suspended for 12 hours later over "violations of the social media platform's policy". Echoing Twitter, both Facebook and Instagram locked the president's accounts for 24 hours, ultimately blocking him from nearly a 150-million audience.
I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
The two other tweets posted by Trump have been deleted.
A curfew is now in effect in the District of Columbia and according to reports, law enforcement agencies are now pushing protesters away from Capitol Hill. At least 13 arrests were made and around a half dozen weapons seized. One woman was shot and killed during the clashes.
In the early evening, Congress resumed the session after officials said they had secured the US Capitol building.
Tensions Rising as Senior White House Officials Consider Resigning, Reports Say
Following the unrest, several Republicans have reversed their earlier vows to block congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory on Wednesday. Likewise, US Senator Kelly Loeffler during remarks on the Senate floor said she will no longer object to the Electoral College votes after today's violent siege of the Capitol Building.
"When I arrived in Washington this morning I fully intended to object the certification of the Electoral votes, however, the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider and I cannot now in good conscious object to the certification of these electors," Loeffler said on Wednesday.
However, Republican Senator Josh Hawley during remarks on the Senate floor did not reverse his decision to object the Electoral College votes.
"It's very vital what we do - the opportunity to be heard, to register objections is very vital because this is the place where those objections are to be heard and dealt with, debated and finally resolved," Hawley said.
Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump's Chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham has decided to step down over the violent events in Washington, DC, according to media reports. As a follow-up, White House Social Secretary Rickie Niceta and White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Matthews have reportedly both submitted resignations. At the same time, Politico reported National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, along with Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger and Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Liddell, are considering resigning.
Vice President Mike Pence, on whom Trump placed high hopes that he would block the certification of the election results, has condemned the violent events in DC, saying it will not be tolerated by the government.
"Peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.", the vice president tweeted.
And we will always be grateful for the men and women who stayed at their post to defend this historic place. To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the People's House. pic.twitter.com/ytErRKnk4O
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 7, 2021
Media reported on Tuesday that Pence told Trump he did not believe he had the power to reject the certification of Biden's victory in the presidential election.
