Mike Pence, US Vice President, has refused to invoke the 25th amendment to remove President Donald Trump, according to a letter sent to Nancy Pelosi, Democrat House Speaker. Following the chaotic scenes witnessed at the US Capitol on January 6, after a pro-Trump mob stormed the building in an attempt to reverse presidential election results, an emerging cohort of lawmakers has been collectively calling for the outgoing President’s impeachment. Nancy Pelosi has been one of the strongest advocates of Trump’s removal.
“With just eight days left in the president’s term, you and the Democratic Caucus are demanding that the Cabinet and I invoke the 25th Amendment. I do not believe that such a course of action is in the best interest of our Nation or consistent with the Constitution,” Pence wrote.
Pelosi received the letter just hours before the House was taking procedural votes on a resolution containing the President’s eviction.
“Last week, I did not yield to pressure to exert power beyond my constitutional authority and I will not yield to efforts in the House of Representatives to play political games at a time so serious in the life of our Nation,” the Vice President added.
Following the Capitol siege, Pelosi had told reporters that “this is urgent, this is an emergency of the highest magnitude,” adding that the President had incited “an armed insurrection against America.”
She had said on the occasion that if Pence failed to take action, “the Congress may be prepared to move forward with impeachment,” stating that the “best route” would be for Pence to initiate the action himself.
