LOS ANGELES, CA – Following the horrifying insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield introduced a resolution calling on Congress to impeach President Donald Trump and calling on Vice President Michael Pence to activate Section 4 of the 25th Amendment. With only days left in his administration, President Trump has the capacity to cause further irreparable harm to the nation and the City of Los Angeles must go on the record to support the bipartisan call for his removal.

“With his continued attempts to subvert and obstruct the 2020 election results and the well documented encouragement of the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, it’s clear President Trump is damaging America and meets the criteria for removal,” said Councilmember Blumenfield. “This can’t wait another minute and for the sake of national security, I want to make sure that our city, the second largest in the country, makes it clear where we stand.”

The facts are clear. Shortly before the Joint Session commenced to certify the election last week, President Trump addressed a crowd of his political supporters nearby, where he reiterated false claims about the results of the 2020 presidential election, as well as encouraged – and foreseeably resulted in – imminent lawless action at the Capitol.

"In our democracy, the President of the United States must be held to the highest standard of accountability - one of allegiance to the constitution, one of leadership to all no matter their nationality, ethnicity, or background," said Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas. "In light of recent events, coupled with the President's threats to the integrity of our electoral system - something must be done. I am honored to join my colleague Councilmember Blumenfield in this resolution to hold President Trump accountable for his actions that have greatly endangered our democracy."

 Over the weekend, a growing chorus erupted asking the vice president to mobilize the cabinet and invoke the 25th Amendment and on Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats introduced articles of impeachment. The measure has more than 200 democratic sponsors and many republicans have also called for the immediate removal of the president including Governors Larry Hogan and Charlie Baker, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Pat Toomey, as well as Congressmember Adam Kinzinger. Furthermore, former Trump Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said if he still served in the cabinet he would remove him if the 25th was invoked. Many other Trump appointees have either resigned or voiced their disgust in the wake of the president’s role in the attack on the Capitol. An initial vote on the article of impeachment is expected in the coming days.

Blumenfield stated, “Trump’s incitement of the insurrection wasn’t unbelievable - the problem is that it was all too believable after the rhetoric and actions we’ve seen from him before and following the election. If encouraging violent mobs to destroy our Capitol and constant attempts to interfere with the election are not enough reasons to impeach, what would be?”

The seditious acts and desecration of the U.S. Capitol not only led to serious property damage to the center of government but also caused the deaths of five Americans, including Brian D. Sicknick, a Capitol police officer. Active pipe bombs were also found at surrounding sites and there have been reported plans of further similar events in the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

Councilmember Marqueece Harris Dawson also introduced similar legislation. 

 In March of 2017, Blumenfield authored a resolution asking the United States Congress to investigate whether President Trump has violated the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the United States Constitution or committed any other high crime or misdemeanor sufficient to warrant commencement of impeachment proceedings. In the subsequent years, the president has continued to act in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law.

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