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Michigan lawmakers weigh in on move to impeach President Trump ahead of the inauguration

Michigan Legislature
Posted at 5:28 PM, Jan 11, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-11 18:18:42-05

LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan lawmakers are weighing in on the possible removal of President Donald Trump from office before the inauguration.

RELATED: Pelosi: House 'will proceed' to impeachment of Trump

It comes down to two factions on the side of the Democrats – the ones who want to push ahead with punishing and removing Trump and their soon-to-be president who wants to move forward and begin the process of healing.

On Monday, the U.S. House implored Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, introducing an impeachment resolution against the president, again. Charging President Trump with incitement of insurrection for the siege on the Capitol.

Michigan's Congressional Delegation is far more forceful condemnation than President-elect Joe Biden, who isn't weighing in, saying the quickest way for Trump's removal is the inauguration.

However, some local lawmakers don't share that position.

“I don’t share that assessment," said Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield). "If I was kind of not on the floor. If I didn’t hear those people banging on the door, being told to put my gas mask on, to be rushed off the floor for my safety. This is real.”

Rep. Lawrence, along with Congresswomen Haley Stevens, Elissa Slotkin and Rashida Tlaib, are all in support of the resolution, with Tlaib adding another possibility – attempting to remove members of Congress who some argue provoked the violence.

“These people were intending to kidnap members," Tlaib said. "This was a very serious attack. So we are definitely looking at the 14th amendment much of which we hope also pushes forward and says the current president, the forever impeached president, won’t ever be able to run for president again.”

Some Congressional Republicans argue the push to remove and punish President Trump runs counterproductive to Democrats' calls to heal and move forward.

"We have a lot of issues at hand," said Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Bruce Township). "The deficit. National Security. Jobs and the economy. I don’t see how impeaching the president with 10 days to go incites unity. it incites division.

The House is expected to talk and potentially vote on articles of impeachment Wednesday. If passed in the House, it will then move to the Senate.