Destroying democracy

ACCOUNTABILITY

Former President Donald Trump acquitted after second impeachment over role in inciting violence at the U.S. Capitol

Final Farewell. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump board Marine One as they depart the White House on Jan. 20, in Washington, D.C., ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden. Photo courtesy of Eric Thayer/Getty Images/TNS

In the aftermath of the attempted insurrection on Jan. 6, the House of Representatives determined in a 232-197 vote to adopt articles of impeachment against outgoing President Donald Trump, for his part in inciting the chaos. Ten House Republicans, including House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney, sided with the House’s Democrat majority in calling for Trump’s removal.

Despite the fact that Trump would have vacated the presidency by the time he was convicted, a Senate vote affirmed the articles would strip Trump of his Secret Service detail and prevent him from a future run for the office of president.

A team of nine house managers led by Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland argued in the Senate that Trump qualified for removal for inciting a riot against the U.S. Capitol. They cited video, audio and photos as evidence to link the riot to not just Trump’s speech preceding the event, but also his actions leading up to the riot, particularly his insistence that the election was stolen, which was referred to as the “Big Lie.” According to the House Managers, convicting Trump was essential to prevent him from future reelection to defend democracy.

A team of three lawyers represented Trump, arguing that the Democrats were simply pursuing a partisan play and attempted to equate Democrats to the speech and actions of Trump. Ultimately, Trump was acquitted in a vote of 57-43, with the Democrats carrying the votes of seven Republican Senators. Despite winning the majority, the Democrats did not hit the 67-vote threshold necessary for Trump to be convicted. Story by Ryan Servaites

1:00 P.M. Vice President Mike Pence releases a letter claiming that he will not interfere with the results of the presidential election, despite Trump encouraging him to do so. The certification process begins.

1:26 P.M. Capitol police order an evacuation of the Library of Congress, the Madison Building and the Cannon House Office Building across from the Capitol. Trump returns to the White House.

2:12 P.M. The first rioters enter the Capitol through a broken window, opening the doors for others.

Photo courtesy of Tasos Katopodis/ Getty Images/TNS

7:30 P.M. The Capitol is declared secure by U.S. Capitol Police Department after they were joined by the District of Columbia National Guard to clear the building.

8:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. Both chambers of Congress reconvene, picking up where they left off.

2:13 P.M.-2:20 P.M. Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are evacuated, which is followed by the adjournment and evacuation of their respective chambers.

2:24 P.M.

Jan. 7 -3:24 A.M. The electoral count is certified, and Mike Pence formally declares Joe Biden and Kamala Harris the next president and vice president of the United States of America.

Senator Bernie Sanders goes viral for inauguration day vibes in no-nonsense wardrobe selection

Vermont senator and former presidential primary candidate Bernie Sanders broke the internet on Inauguration Day, when a picture of the congressman sitting in the audience at the U.S. Capitol made its way as a meme through social media.

Sanders, an independent whose progressive policy platform almost led him to victory in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, was photographed wearing a winter coat and knit mittens, a stark contrast from the formal garb of his colleagues. According to the Senator himself, the mittens were knit by a teacher that he met on the campaign trail and have become a staple of his wardrobe ever since.

After the meme went viral, the senator decided to make the most of his internet fame, selling merchandise with the iconic photo and donating all of the proceeds to charity. According to Sanders, the meme merchandise sold out in less than a week and generated over $1.8 million for charities like Meals on Wheels Vermont, the Chill Foundation and Feeding Chittenden. Story by Ryan Servaites

Taking the Oath. President Joe Biden takes the oath of office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as his wife, first lady Jill Biden, stands next to him during the 59th presidential inauguration. Photo courtesy of Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Purpose Harvard graduate and 22-year-old National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman left viewers stunned as she recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” during the inauguration ceremony. The poem addressed the need for unity and purpose, with the young poet drawing from her identity as a Black woman to illuminate the “Poet with ...When day comes we step out of the ” shade, aflame and unafraid, the new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. Amanda GormanIf only we’re brave enough to be it.possibilities the future holds. “We really need to break out of the pathology that poetry is only owned by certain elites,” Gorman said during a Feb. 4 Time Magazine interview with former First Lady Michelle Obama. “Where we can start is highlighting and celebrating poets who reflect humanity in all of its diverse colors and breadth.” The young poet, who originally took up the art as a means of overcoming speech and auditory impediments, gave a show-stopping performance, alluding to the possibility of a Poet delivers inspiring message re-imagined America that works for all of its citizens. With her performance, Gorman made history by being the youngest of only six inaugural poets, joining a club that includes the likes of Richard Blanco, Robert Frost and the legendary Maya Angelou. Story by Ryan Servaites Photo courtesy of Alex Wong/Getty Images/TNS