Pence refused to use a constitutional amendment against Trump

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In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, US Vice President Mike Pence announced his refusal to implement the 25th Amendment to the Constitution and declare President Donald Trump incompetent. This attitude was generally expected, on Wednesday the Democrats will move to enforce the constitutional lawsuit. It responds to events last Wednesday, when a crowd of Trump supporters attacked the Congress building, where the results of the presidential election were being discussed.

In his letter, Pence stated that the 25th Amendment mechanism should not be used as a means of punishment or usurpation but reserved for cases of medical or mental incapacity. I do not believe that such an approach is in the best interests of our nation or in accordance with our constitution.

The vice president called on Congress to focus on a smooth transfer of power rather than mutual disputes. Pelosi has previously said that if Pence refuses to apply Amendment 25 to the Constitution, the House of Representatives will move to push for a constitutional lawsuit for inciting Rebellion over last week's riots at Congress.

Late Tuesday evening local time, most members of the House agreed to call on Vice President Pence to apply the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. The call has no legal binding and some Democrats have therefore stated that the vote was a total waste of time.

The House of Representatives committee also approved the parameters governing Wednesday's debate and the subsequent vote on Donald Trump's lawsuit. Pelosi has appointed a nine-member team to lead the impeachment vote, led by Jamie Raskin.