Read the statement from GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, chair of the House GOP Conference, on why she'll vote to impeach Donald Trump
WASHINGTON – Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, the third most powerful Republican member of the House, announced Tuesday she will vote to support legislation impeaching President Donald Trump.
The article of impeachment House Democrats have introduced charges the president with "incitement of insurrection," for what scores of lawmakers say was his direct role in fomenting violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
The rampage by the pro-Trump mob left one police officer dead, a female rioter fatally shot and three other assailants dead.
Cheney is one of at least five House Republicans who have announced they will join Democrats in voting to impeach the president. The others are John Katko of New York, Fred Upton of Michigan, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. Others are expected to join as well.
The House is is expected to vote om impeachment late Wednesday afternoon.
Here's the statement Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, issued Tuesday:
"On January 6, 2021 a violent mob attacked the United States Capitol to obstruct the process of our democracy and stop the counting of presidential electoral votes. This insurrection caused injury, death and destruction in the most sacred space in our Republic.
"Much more will become clear in coming days and weeks, but what we know now is enough. 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 this would have happened without the President. The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not. There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.
"I will vote to impeach the President."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Liz Cheney explains why she's voting to impeach President Donald Trump
