Gov. Larry Hogan said at a press briefing Thursday, “America would be better off if [President Donald Trump] would resign or be removed from office.”
The Republican governor, who’s been critical of Trump through his tenure, made the statement a day after a pro-Trump mob—empowered by the President’s rhetoric—attacked the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Watch Hogan’s comments below about how he believes Trump has “abandoned his sacred oath.”
With 13 days left until President-elect Joe Biden assumes office, Hogan is not sure “how that should happen” exactly—impeachment or the 25th Amendment—but he believes Vice President Pence’s leadership would be more effective in conducting “a peaceful transition of power.”
Hogan Joins Bipartisan Calls for Trump’s Removal
Hogan has joined a growing list of bipartisan elected officials calling for Trump’s removal from office.
Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford (R), who stood by Hogan’s side at Thursday’s briefing,” also called on Trump to “step down from office immediately” after a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
“It’s clear he’s not abiding by his oath to defend the Constitution (encouraging disruption of Congressional duties, refusal to authorize use of the Nat’l Guard in an assault on the Capitol),” Rutherford tweeted Tuesday.
Given @realDonaldTrump's actions yesterday, he should step down from office immediately. It's clear he's not abiding by his oath to defend the Constitution (encouraging disruption of Congressional duties, refusal to authorize use of the Nat'l Guard in an assault on the Capitol).
— Boyd Rutherford (@BoydKRutherford) January 7, 2021
Several Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said if Vice President Pence doesn’t commit to invoking the 25th amendment, then the U.S. House of Representatives will move to introduce articles of impeachment.
In addition to Rutherford and Hogan, Republicans have also been calling for Trump to step down. U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican from Illinois, called for members of Trump’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment. Vermont’s Republican Gov. Phil Scott issued a statement calling on the president to step down “or be removed from office by his Cabinet, or by the Congress.”
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