2020 US Presidential Election

[DelW]

Watching news feeds earlier, I found it quite hard to be sure which were police and which were rioters. A number of the latter had equipped themselves with helmets and shields, which rather contradicts the assertion that it was all a spur of the moment event.

 

[KashmireHawker]

Women shot in The Capitol is dead

 

[WelshBluebird]

Watching news feeds earlier, I found it quite hard to be sure which were police and which were rioters. A number of the latter had equipped themselves with helmets and shields, which rather contradicts the assertion that it was all a spur of the moment event.

There was no way it was a spur of the moment thing. Some of these people have spent the last however many years talking about needing guns to be able to protect themselves against a tyrannical government and more recent times blazingly attending protests with rifles strapped to themselves etc etc.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Look at the time on her tweet and consider just how rapidly the whole situation has escalated.

I wouldn't call over four years a rapid escalation

 

[ld0595]

Interesting to see that Twitter has removed his recent Tweets including his video. Oh to be a fly on the wall to hear his reaction...

The sooner Twitter remove him from their platform, the better.

 

[Bayum]

There are videos circulating of (allegedly) DC Capitol police opening the barricades to allow the protestors up to the Capitol building, shortly before it was stormed.

Is some of it ‘planned’ to dissuade swells of the crowd and prevent injury to civilians and police? Once politicians inside are safe open the floodgates to try and relieve some of that pressure that was on the steps.

 

[class ep-09]

My popcorn trainload got stuck in Calais because of new custom arrangements...
I am gonna starve now...

 

[Bayum]

Can confirm the photo on Mike Pence’s Twitter banner is of him and his wife at a rally November 2nd.

 

[DarloRich]

It is suggested in the media that Pence not Trump gave the order to mobilse the national guard which I am not convinced is in his authority as vice president. If correct, that is an interesting step as there has not been an enactment of the 25th amendment!

 

[Saint66]

It is suggested in the media that Pence not Trump gave the order to mobilse the national guard which I am not convinced is in his authority! That is an interesting step

Yes, the interim Sec. of Defence confirmed this earlier.

 

[DarloRich]

Yes, the interim Sec. of Defence confirmed this earlier.

Unless there is some alternative legal structure that applies to Washington DC I don't think he can do that - that means the armed forces have taken instructions from someone NOT their commander in chief.

Edit - perhaps the Washington DC mayor requested the national guard. I think he has such a power. ( he says desperately trying to recall the American civics and legal structure elective from university........)

 

[oxfordray1]

Interesting to see that Twitter has removed his recent Tweets including his video. Oh to be a fly on the wall to hear his reaction...

The sooner Twitter remove him from their platform, the better.

According to the Guardian, Twitter has locked his account for 12 hours over three particular tweets. I think the lock becomes a permanent ban if Trump dies not delete these tweets.

 

[Saint66]

Unless there is some alternative legal structure that applies to Washington DC I don't think he can do that - that means the armed forces have taken instructions from someone NOT their commander in chief.

Edit - perhaps the Washington DC mayor requested the national guard. I think he has such a power. ( he says desperately trying to recall the American civics and legal structure elective from university........)

Just to continue on this...

https://twitter.com/VPPressSec/status/1346972967817924608

However, no mention that Pence spoke or consulted with Trump.

 

[hst43102]

Wow. I was out this evening and returned to find out that all hell has broken loose in DC. It's clearly time for Trump to acknowledge Biden as president and resign if he isn't removed. Absolutely shocking at how these armed rioters have ransacked the congress building.

 

[Bayum]

I’m just waiting for the inevitable,
‘I know there was fraud and I know for definite because I filled the suitcase with ballots to be dumped’

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jan 2021 ==

Twitter have pressed Trump’s self destruct button. His account has been blocked for 12hrs post removal of three tweets Twitter has identified. If they are not removed, then the account will stay locked.

 

[najaB]

They plan to continue the vote count tonight with the agreement of Mike Pence. So this whole sad episode well likely only have delayed proceedings by a few hours.

Well done, Mr Drumph.

 

[johntea]

4 dead now, absolutely tragic news

 

[birchesgreen]

Fascinating point just now reported on The Guardian blog - someone had the presence of mind to hang on to the Electoral College ballot papers when the Senate chamber was evacuated, imagine what constitutional confusion might have been caused had they been left behind and, say, burned by the mob?

Which may have been the plan to be honest.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

At least one of those who had intended to issue a formal challenge in this session has decided not to do so and the events that have unfolded through the day could well see others do the same. Pence seemed quite statesmanlike when he spoke in the session and was applauded by both sides.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

What, if any/ever, charges might Trump face for inciting such violence?

 

[island]

Now it appears the Dems have taken both Georgia seats, the Senate is 50:50. Interesting scenario if the House votes to impeach Trump in the next two weeks, and the casting vote goes to ... Mike Pence.

I can see Trump being impeached in the coming days, with Pence taking the reigns on it. It looks like both Republicans and Democrats have had enough.

Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in each house. However, the process seems unlikely to come from start to finish within the remaining two weeks of Trump’s presidency.

 

[edwin_m]

Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in each house. However, the process seems unlikely to come from start to finish within the remaining two weeks of Trump’s presidency.

I stand corrected. However I think if they wanted to the Dems could rush it through the House as quickly as they liked - as we found last time there are very few formal rules governing what is needed. However I think one of them is that the Senate has to consider an impeachment motion promptly, which might show up whether any Republicans other than Romney are now prepared to vote against Trump.

 

[Domh245]

whether any Republicans other than Romney are now prepared to vote against Trump.

Only 6 Republican Senators voted to contest Arizona's vote despite more than that initially indicating they'd back it, so I think there's quite a clear disavowment of Trump from the upper house. 122 R house members voted to contest it however

 

[jfollows]

The certification process is concluding with the inevitable outcome.

The debate on the objections to the certification of the Arizona results concluded, 93-6 against in the Senate, 303-122 against in the House.

An objection against certification of the Georgia result was not raised, the defeated senator Loeffler saying that in the light of the events she was no longer going to object.

An objection against certification of the Pennsylvania result was raised and defeated, 92-7 against in the Senate, 282-138 against in the House.

I attach the list of names in all four counts in case anyone is interested.

At 08:36 UK time a Republican is objecting to the Wisconsin result, but no senator has signed the objection so it can not be entertained and discussed.

Wyoming having been considered quickly leaves Biden on 306 votes and Trump on 232. As everyone knew all along.

 

[nlogax]

It's been a very long night but it's done, over, finished. We now appear to have a whinging, sulky concession-like statement from Trump confirming that there will be an orderly transition of power on Jan 20th.

Finally.

 

[dgl]

Bye, bye trump, you just lost again, hope you like your new orange outfit.
And remember on the 21st if you think about coming to Turnberry, don't plan on going anywhere but the local nick.

Watching Bidens address last night showed a bloke that you can respect and is calm in a crisis.

 

[jfollows]

Here's what Trump said (comment by The Guardian at the end):

Trump’s social media aide Dan Scavino has tweeted a “Statement by President Donald J. Trump on the Electoral Certification”:

"Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out*, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th. I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!”

*The facts do not bear Trump out.

 

[dgl]

And the official announcement:

 

[37424]

Lets hope he doesn't try and stand again although you would hope the events of the last 24 hours have ruled him well out of the republican party and if he did try and stand again it would have to be as an independent.

He also need to answer for the past 24 hours in court.

 

[najaB]

Here's what Trump said (comment by The Guardian at the end):

I shouldn't be, but I'm still surprised at his complete and total inability to admit ever that he lost at anything.

Lets hope he doesn't try and stand again although you would hope the events of the last 24 hours have ruled him well out of the republican party and if he did try and stand again it would have to be as an independent.

He also need to answer for the past 24 hours in court.

I don't know if there's enough time - though I guess they could make it - but the correct course of action would be to impeach and remove from office. As well as being an appropriate censure, it would also mean that he would be unable to run again for any elected public office.

After he's impeached - and unable to pardon himself - then they can take him through the legal system.