Editor’s note: CHN Executive Director Deborah Weinstein issued the following statement on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021:

“President Trump has acted in violation of his oath of office and the law by inciting violent mob action and failing to take swift steps to protect lives and our nation’s democratic institutions.  He has shown himself to be “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office” and should be removed, either by actions of Vice President Pence and the cabinet to invoke the 25th amendment to the Constitution, or by impeachment in the House of Representatives and conviction in the Senate. 

“Lies have dangerous consequences.  Donald Trump’s repeated lies about the November election built and preyed upon extreme conspiracy-mongers and white supremacists in a way expressly calculated to result in the mob action of January 6.  It is tragic that five lives were lost, including Officer Brian Sicknick of the U.S. Capitol Police.  President Trump bears an awful weight of responsibility, both because he incited insurrection and then caused a delay in approving National Guard troops to provide aid to the Capitol Police as the mob breached the Capitol building.  Vice President Pence had to take the steps to approve that aid. 

“Over and over again, Donald Trump has lied, recklessly and in pursuit of what he saw as his own advantage, no matter the consequences.  The consequences have been extraordinarily costly.  To honor their own oaths of office, Vice President Pence, the cabinet, and Congress must carry out their duty by acting to remove President Trump as quickly as possible.”