/Trump impeachment news – live: President vanishes as McConnell tells Republicans trial is ‘vote of conscience’

Trump impeachment news – live: President vanishes as McConnell tells Republicans trial is ‘vote of conscience’

Tearful Pelosi says Congress members may be prosecuted as she announces Capitol security review

In doing so, Mr McConnell effectively allowed members of his party to vote to convict the US president, who is likely to face trial after Joe Biden assumes the presidency next week.

Mr Trump has been charged with inciting the insurrection at the US Capitol last week, which left five people dead after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol building following an incendiary rally by the president. 

Since making an appearance at the US border in Texas on Tuesday, Mr Trump has not been seen in public, and instead has remained holed up inside the White House among a dwindling number of aides and allies. 

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Armed man arrested with fake inauguration credentials

CNN reports that US Capitol Police arrested an armed man as he attempted to pass through a police checkpoint in downtown Washington Friday with fake inaugural credentials. 

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 20:02

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Venue cancels fundraiser for Rep Josh Hawley

Loews Hotels has informed the host of a fundraiser planned for February that it will no longer be held at one of its properties.

That host has since been identified as Missouri representative Josh Hawley who has been accused of playing a role in inciting the violence at the Capitol on 6 January.

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 19:56

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Trump planning ‘elaborate’ send-off on inauguration morning

Donald Trump is planning an “elaborate, military-style send-off” for himself on the morning of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.

ABC News reports that the president intends to have a military band play as he walks a red carpet at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

The president wants a military-style sendoff at Joint Base Andrews

The president wants a military-style sendoff at Joint Base Andrews

(AP)

He has also discussed the possibility of an Air Force flypast and a 21-gun salute according to the Associated Press.

The president will then fly Air Force One to Palm Beach, skipping the inauguration of his successor. He will be only the fourth outgoing president to do so.

Moving trucks have been pulling in and out of the White House driveway for the past two days, and senior staff have been pictured removing personal effects from their offices.

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 19:32

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House majority leader on Trump administration resignations

Democrat House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer released the following statement today:

A number of members of the Trump Administration have resigned just days before their patron, Donald Trump, involuntarily leaves the White House and the Presidency. President Trump leaves after having incited an insurrection at the Capitol of the United States, and as Rep. Liz Cheney said, ‘The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing.’

None of the Trump officials who have resigned their posts over the past few weeks will salvage their reputations by doing so. They have all been a part of, and enablers of, the most dysfunctional, corrupt, and destructive Administration in history. They should all live a life of shame for what they have done to our beloved country.

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 19:09

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Trump staffers snubbed in job hunt

Even those that left the administration in protest are struggling to find new employment. James Crump reports for The Independent

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 18:56

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‘If it wasn’t my job I would’ve done that for free’

Meet a hero — the officer hailed for his bravery in the face of the mob’s attack on the Capitol.

Washington DC police officer Daniel Hodges, who was crushed by a far-right mob during the insurrection at the US Capitol earlier this month, has said that he would do it all again to protect US democracy.

“If it wasn’t my job I would’ve done that for free,” he said in an interview with NBC. “It was absolutely my pleasure to crush a white nationalist insurrection … We’ll do it as many times as it takes.”

Alex Woodward reports for The Independent.

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 18:37

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Who is Mike Lindell?

If you’ve watched cable news in the US, you’ll be very familiar with Mike Lindell appearing in ads for his own product, MyPillow, as well as being a controversial supporter of the president. 

He caused a storm again on Friday when a picture of his notes brought to a White House meeting with Donald Trump suggested implementing “martial law if necessary”.

The Independent’s James Crump profiles the CEO of MyPillow.

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 18:18

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Kellyanne Conway: ‘Marauders’ insult MAGA movement

As Donald Trump prepares to leave the White House, former adviser Kellyanne Conway is defending him to the bitter end, saying that the violent US Capitol mob “insult, not represent, the Trump movement”.

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 17:58

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‘Baked Alaska’ arrested by federal authorities

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 17:38

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The 22 most dramatic moments of Trump’s presidency

Take a look back at some of the Trump administration’s most dramatic moments, captured in photos.

Oliver O’Connell16 January 2021 17:30