That time crunch has sparked debate and speculation about whether the Senate can hold a trial before Trump leaves office. For several hours, McCollum moved the fraught debate along in no-nonsense fashion as she sternly enforced time limits - never letting any of the dozens of lawmakers speak for even a few seconds longer than allotted.

Hundreds of National Guard troops clung to rifles and riot shields as they napped on cold marble floors. Minnesota's two Democratic senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, both voted to remove Trump a year ago following House impeachment, and both have said since last week's Capitol attack that he no longer deserves to be in office. One officer died as a result of injuries sustained while confronting rioters, and one rioter was shot and killed by police. It was the most bipartisan presidential impeachment in modern times, more so than against Bill Clinton in 1998. But that vote wasn't enough to save Peterson in the strongly pro-Trump western Minnesota district.

House GOP leadership has decided not to lobby caucus members to vote against, and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) warned colleagues not to verbally accost members who support impeachment, saying it could endanger their lives.

It's a dramatic turn of events for a president who has enjoyed virtually unyielding loyalty from his party and was expected to play a key role in shaping the GOP's future.

Trump was said to be livid with perceived disloyalty from McConnell and Cheney.

His comments come as the House prepares to vote on a single article of impeachment against Trump that accuses him of inciting hordes of supporters to stage the attack at the Capitol while Congress was convened to confirm the Electoral College vote for President-elect Joe Biden. "This is a vote of conscience". The article of impeachment filed by the Democrats cites this provision.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is proposing fines of up to $10,000 will be imposed on members who fail to abide by the security protocols of the House. "No true supporter of mine could ever disrespect law enforcement". Following the meeting, their concern was palpable.

Actual removal seems unlikely before the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. He suggested Trump's Senate trial would begin no earlier than January 19 - in effect rejecting a drive by the chamber's Democrats to begin the proceedings immediately so Trump could be ousted from office.

McConnell has told confidants that he believes Trump committed impeachable offenses, a source told ABC News. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) said Wednesday Republicans "ought to have a second vote" on Cheney's position in light of the development.

The unbreakable wall of Republican support that encouraged and enabled Donald Trump's norm-shattering presidency cracked on Wednesday.

Trump took no responsibility for the riot, suggesting it was the drive to oust him rather than his actions around the bloody riot that was dividing the country.

As if on cue, Trump soon issued a statement that stopped short of accepting blame, but called on Americans "to help ease tensions and calm tempers". "Violence and vandalism have no place in our country..."

Trump was first impeached by the House in 2019 over his dealings with Ukraine, but the Senate voted in 2020 acquit.

Yet the effort - which appeared carefully choreographed - could only do so much to help the president. "Any Republican senator or congressman voting for impeachment will be held accountable in their next primary election". A two-thirds majority would be needed to convict and remove Trump, meaning at least 17 Republicans in the 100-member chamber would have to join the Democrats.

Four more Republican senators - Mitt Romney (UT), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Pat Toomey (PA), and Ben Sasse (NE) - have also indicated that they would be open to impeaching Trump, though none in the group have offered a firm commitment to date.

The US House of Representatives began its momentous vote on charges of "incitement of insurrection". "It is only by the grace of God and the blood of the Capitol Police that the death toll was not much, much higher". Voting against impeachment were Hagedorn along with Reps.

By the end of the day, the page was already turning.

The daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney is a rising star in the party.