Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick speaking in November.
In the wake of last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick is weighing his options, according to a report.
While some in Congress are launching impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, Politico first reported, citing two GOP sources, Tuesday morning that Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Middletown Township, was considering “introducing a censure resolution against Trump, which could come as early as today.”
“While one source cautioned that Fitzpatrick might not ultimately follow through with such a move — he’s still deciding whether to pull the trigger — it is something that has been discussed. Fitzpatrick is one of the House Republicans who is clearly very upset and outraged by the president’s actions and is looking for a way to show his disapproval,” the report from Politico journalist Olivia Beavers said.
Fitzpatrick’s office did not return a request for comment on Monday and has not answered questions from this Levittown Now in the wake of the election. A request for comment on the Politico report Tuesday morning was not immediately returned.
Fitzpatrick did not vote for Trump in 2016, but he changed his mind and voted for him in 2020. The congressman, who won reelection in the fall, received a robocall endorsement from the president last fall.
Last week, Fitzpatrick said said the attack on the U.S. Capitol was “nothing short of a coup attempt.” He added: “[Trump] lit the flame of incitement and owns responsibility for this.”
During Trump’s first impeachment, the congressman voted against the effort for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. He raised concern over Trump’s actions that led up to the impeachment vote, but said it took an “entirely partisan path with an artificial timeline and a predetermined outcome.”
In Washington D.C., the Democratic-majority U.S. House of Representatives is expected Tuesday to vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet to use the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office in the waning days of his term. The effort is due to what many in Congress feel is Trump’s ratcheting up of fiery language and for speaking at the event just before the Capitol building was attacked by a mob of his supporters, which led to five deaths. The pre-attack rally included a call for “trial by combat” by Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and other heated remarks from speakers.
The attack happened as the Congress began to finalize the 2020 election results. President-Elect Joe Biden will take office next Wednesday at noon.
“The President represents an imminent threat to our Constitution, our Country and the American people, and he must be removed from office immediately,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, said in a statement Monday.
Reporting and public statements have not indicated that Pence plans to move forward with invoking the 25th Amendment at this time.
Pelosi said if the 25th Amendment was not involved, impeachment would be the next option. Some Republicans, including ones who were blamed by peers for inciting the attack, have rebuffed the motion, calling for utility.
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, who represents Pennsylvania and has supported Trump, has called for the president to resign in the wake of the attack.
“I think at this point with just a few days left, it’s the best path forward, the best way to get this person in the rearview mirror for us,” Toomey said on CNN. “That could happen immediately. I’m not optimistic it will, but I do think that would be the best way forward.”
NPR reported Toomey said in a Fox News interview that Trump has committed “impeachable offenses.”
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat representing Pennsylvania, has said Trump should be removed from office. He has also called for “accountability for those members of Congress who led the effort to overthrow a democratic election.”
“If they refuse to resign their office, then Congress should begin to explore censure or expulsion. Failing to hold those responsible for the insurrection accountable would be a profound injustice and give a green light to future authoritarians,” Casey said, according to PennLive.
Trump, who has been banned from Twitter, told reporters Tuesday morning outside the White House that the anger against him for allegedly inciting the attackers was “ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.”
See also:
Congressman Fitzpatrick Condemns 'Coup Attempt,' Blames Trump For Chaos At Capitol
Congressman Fitzpatrick Begins Third Term By Outlining Reform Proposals
Congressman Fitzpatrick Projected Winner Against Challenger Finello
Congressman Fitzpatrick Votes For Resolution Denouncing QAnon Conspiracy Theory
Fitzpatrick Drafting Legislation To Increase Pay For Pennsylvania Families
