WASHINGTON — Representative Anthony Gonzalez, who represents Northeast Ohio’s 16th District, joined nine other Republican colleagues and all voting Democrats in the House of Representatives to vote to impeach President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Gonzalez released this statement moments before the impeachment vote:
Like many of those around our district, I have spent the past few days trying to make sense of everything that unfolded at the Capitol on January 6th. In rehashing the day as I experienced it, consulting with law enforcement, and watching footage of the events before and during the attack, I have come to the following conclusion.
The President of the United States helped organize and incite a mob that attacked the United States Congress in an attempt to prevent us from completing our solemn duties as prescribed by the Constitution. In doing so, five people have died - including a Capitol Police Officer - many more have been injured, and our democracy has been shaken. The Vice President and both chambers of Congress had their lives put in grave danger as a result of the President's actions in the events leading up to and on January 6th. During the attack itself, the President abandoned his post while many members asked for help, thus further endangering all present. These are fundamental threats not just to people's lives but to the very foundation of our Republic.
When I consider the full scope of events leading up to January 6th including the President's lack of response as the United States Capitol was under attack, I am compelled to support impeachment.
Trump’s impeachment in the House was a foregone conclusion, with Democrats signaling earlier this week they had enough votes to reach the simple majority needed to impeach the president on a single article: incitement of insurrection.
Following hours of debate Wednesday, the House voted Wednesday afternoon, making Trump the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. The process will move to the Senate for a trial.
Current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has rejected calling an emergency session of the chamber, making it all but certain that a potential impeachment trial for President Donald Trump won't take place until president-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated.
RELATED: McConnell delays start of impeachment trial, says he isn't sure how he'll vote
