The South Carolina Democrat has suggested that Trump is unlikely to be removed from office on impeachment less than two weeks before his term ends.
“No, I don’t believe that 13 or 14 days is enough for that. But it is safe enough for the vice president and cabinet members, ”said Clyburn, before invoking DeVos and Chao.
“The resignation of two Cabinet members means that they are evading their responsibilities. If they have that conviction, they would stay there and wait for this meeting so they could cast two of the votes that are needed to invoke the 25th Amendment, ”he said. “They are running away.”
Spokesmen for the two secretaries who resigned did not immediately return requests for comment on Clyburn’s criticism.
DeVos and Chao on Thursday became the two most renowned government officials to resign in protest after the Capitol violence on Wednesday afternoon, when pro-Trump protesters stormed the building amid Congressional certification of the president’s victory elected Joe Biden at the Electoral College. DeVos’s resignation takes effect on Friday, while Chao’s resignation takes effect on January 11.
Before the riot – which resulted in the deaths of five people, including a United States Capitol Police officer – the president summoned his supporters at a rally outside the White House and encouraged them to march on the Capitol. “You will never get back to our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong, ”he said.
Many Democratic lawmakers, several former federal officials, some governors and at least one Republican member of the House have demanded Trump’s immediate removal from office. On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer asked Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, as did Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).
And Representative Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), The Assistant House Speaker, predicted early Friday morning that the entire House would vote for Trump’s new impeachment as early as the middle of next week. Asked if this potential timeline was accurate, Clyburn told CNN, “Oh, I think so.”