Trump fans the flames
EDITOR'S NOTE
Hello,
Speaking publicly for the first time since last Wednesday's deadly invasion of the Capitol, President Trump on Tuesday didn't condemn the violence and chaos unleashed by crowds of his supporters. Instead, speaking to reporters at the White House on his way to Texas, he warned that a second impeachment for him would be dangerous for the country.
Before boarding Air Force One, he stood by the incendiary remarks he gave prior to the Capitol riot. While he said that violence should be avoided, he again stopped short of telling his supporters not to commit any violent acts, and didn't criticize their actions last week.
The president has little more than a week left in his term. House Democrats could impeach him as soon as Wednesday. That will leave little time for the Senate to vote on removing Trump from office. It isn't clear whether there would be enough Republican votes to remove him, either. Nor does it look like Vice President Pence will invoke the 25th Amendment to strip Trump of his power.
Federal authorities are warning of potential violence, in state capitals as well as in Washington, D.C., leading up to Joe Biden's inauguration next week, and perhaps beyond. Trump supporters are harassing lawmakers at airports and elsewhere. Pro-Trump crowds breached the Capitol, and rioters threatened the lives of the vice president and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Five people died.
This is all happening before the House votes on impeaching the president for a second time. If the president is warning of danger now, imagine what he will say if he is impeached.
Thoughts? Email Politics Editor Mike Calia at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.
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