Four of the five members of the San Diego congressional delegation voted Wednesday to impeach President Trump in a history-making second impeachment of a U.S. President.
Reps. Sara Jacobs, Mike Levin, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas — all Democrats — voted to impeach, while Rep. Darrell Issa joined many Republicans in voting against.
The final vote was 232 to 197 with 10 Republicans joining Democrats to impeach the president on a charge of “incitement of insurrection” after a violent mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol during the joint session to certify Joe Biden as the next president. Four protesters and a Capitol Police officer died in the riot.
“The president summoned a mob, directed them to the Capitol, and told them to ‘fight like hell.’ They did, and the results were tragic. Trump put my colleagues and me, and the nation at risk. He must be impeached,” said Jacobs.
In a tweet Wednesday, Issa said: “I’m … disappointed with today’s vote and concerned about the bitterness it will make even worse. With only days left in this presidency, the persistent and continuing drive for impeachment won’t do anything to bring the country together.”
I’m am disappointed with today’s vote and concerned about the bitterness it will make even worse. With only days left in this presidency, the persistent and continuing drive for impeachment won’t do anything to bring the country together.
— Rep. Darrell Issa (@repdarrellissa) January 13, 2021
I am sure it will do much to drive the nation even further apart. America sent us to Washington to do the people’s business. It did not send us here to do this. Our friend the late Elijah Cummings said to us many times; we are better this.
— Rep. Darrell Issa (@repdarrellissa) January 13, 2021
Earlier this week, Issa said he could not vote for what he called a “gratuitous and unnecessary measure.”
“It is deeply disappointing that Speaker Pelosi and majority Democrats are refusing to join with Republicans in uniting the Congress and helping to bring the country together. And it is truly unfortunate that they are instead choosing to rush ahead with a second presidential impeachment in less than 12 months,” Issa said.
Only one California Republican, Rep. David Valadao from the Central Valley, broke ranks and voted to impeach.
The Senate is unlikely to take up the impeachment case until after Biden is inaugurated.
Rep. Jacobs, the new 53rd District representative, said in her floor remarks: “The response to political violence must always be accountability. Without accountability, more violence will follow. I learned that working at the United Nations and the State Department in conflict settings around the world. And the United States Congress is now a conflict setting.”
She concluded: “A violent mob threatened our lives in this chamber, and almost succeeded, incited by the President of the United States, who broadcast lies about the outcome of the election. We must hold this president accountable. It is the only way to protect our democracy.”
.@RepSaraJacobs is absolutely right:
“The response to political violence must always be accountability. Without accountability more violence will follow.” pic.twitter.com/cTgCAme190
— Equality California (@eqca) January 13, 2021
In a statement, Rep. Peters of the 52nd District said he honored his oath to defend the Constitution from all foreign and domestic enemies.
“President Trump urged his followers last week to ‘be strong,’ ‘march to the Capitol’ and ‘fight like hell,’” Peters said. “By doing so, he provoked a violent assault on the People’s House that terrorized the nation and led to the death of five Americans. It’s clear he’s unable to do his job, has complete disregard for democracy and is a grave threat to the country.”
Read my full statement here: https://t.co/oHJVXIG2RG
— Rep. Scott Peters (@RepScottPeters) January 13, 2021
“President Trump’s efforts to subvert the electoral process through lies and inflamed rhetoric cannot go without consequence. It’s now up to the Senate to conduct a trial to decide whether the president should be convicted.”
I thank Rep. Liz Cheney for these words:
“The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack… There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.”
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevin) January 13, 2021
Updated at 4:31 p.m. Jan. 13, 2021