The GOP lawmaker who succeeded Rep. Justin Amash signaled support for impeaching President Trump a second time, following the riot at the U.S. Capitol last week.
In an interview with Fox 17 of Grand Rapids, Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan said he believes the riot “left the president unfit for office.”
“When it comes to impeachment, it’s something we’re strongly considering at this point,” Meijer added. “Again, you know, there are timelines and other considerations and additional information that I want to have before making that decision affirmatively.”
Michigan GOP Rep. Peter Meijer (@RepMeijer) says he’s “strongly considering” impeachment: pic.twitter.com/PpTGmcMOtx
— Aaron FOX 17 (@AaronParseghian) January 11, 2021
Meijer, a 32-year-old Army veteran and political newcomer, won the election for Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District in November, defeating a challenge from a Democrat who brought in significant amounts of fundraising.
His predecessor, Amash, made headlines for becoming the first Republican congressman to call for Trump’s impeachment in 2019, a controversy related to Ukraine. Trump was impeached on two charges but was acquitted by the GOP-led Senate. Amash later left the Republican Party and briefly considered a presidential run as a Libertarian. He did not run for reelection in 2020.
The House is set to vote on Wednesday to impeach Trump over a deadly Capitol breach that resulted in the damage of federal property and the deaths of five people.
More than 200 lawmakers vowed to support impeachment efforts against Trump following the breach of the U.S. Capitol, which critics say the president helped to incite. A handful of Republicans, including Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming, have signaled they would also support impeachment. There are about 10 House Republicans weighing the decision, according to Politico.
While Trump being impeached a second time by the Democratic-led House appears to have the requisite support, conviction and removal by the Senate would be a much tougher task, with a two-thirds vote required to convict.
Inauguration Day for President-elect Joe Biden is set for Jan. 20, and Trump has promised a peaceful transfer of power.
