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Sen. Joe Manchin Calls for Trump to Be Removed From Office
By Kristina Peterson
Sen. Joe Manchin, right, and Rep. David McKinley at the joint session of Congress on Thursday.TOM WILLIAMS/ZUMA PRESS
Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, one of the most centrist Democrats, said Friday that President Trump should be removed from office, either through the 25th amendment or impeachment.
“I would support anything that could remove him between now and Jan. 20,” Mr. Manchin said in an interview Friday. “If he is not president for the next 12 days, I think our country would be safer.” Mr. Manchin said the 25th amendment would be the fastest way for Mr. Trump to leave the White House.
Mr. Manchin said he was skeptical that Republicans would be willing to force Mr. Trump out of office or that there would be enough time for a trial in the Senate. He noted that even after the violent mob stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, some Republicans still voted to object to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory.
Sen. Joe Manchin, right, and Rep. David McKinley at the joint session of Congress on Thursday.TOM WILLIAMS/ZUMA PRESS
“That tells you it’s not going to be a walk in the park,” he said. But, he added, “there’s never been a more blatant crime than what we saw committed to our wonderful country than what the president has done.”
Mr. Manchin also encouraged remaining cabinet officials in the White House to remain at their posts.
“We need that experience, we need that level-headedness,” he said.
On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said they were resigning their posts.