House Democrats have announced they plan to introduce Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump just about a year after he was acquitted by the Senate after his first impeachment. The stunning attack on the Capitol building on Wednesday by a mob of pro-Trump rioters has left Washington D.C. reeling and accusations flying as to who should be held responsible. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has written a letter to her Republicans colleagues demanding that Trump resign immediately or face Congressional action. Associated Press reports that Pelosi is “meeting with the House Democratic caucus Friday to consider impeachment proceedings against the president.” Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark of Massachusetts said that an impeachment vote could be held as early as next week. Pelosi has also reportedly spoken to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff about curbing Trump’s power to command the military and particularly nuclear strikes. After Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the invoking of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office immediately, Vice President Mike Pence, who would have to initiate such an action, immediately shot down the idea. 

After a 12 hour suspension by Twitter, Trump on Thursday posted a video striking a different tone saying in a carefully scripted address that those who broke into the Capitol building would be held accountable. He also claimed contrary to evidence that his orders led to the National Guard clearing the building and for the first time acknowledged that he would leave the White House before January 20th. Even though Trump on Thursday attempted to distance himself from the rioters, just a day earlier Trump had posted a video embracing them. On Friday morning he asserted, “I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.” Trump cabinet members have been fleeing his administration and on Thursday Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao resigned over the riot. 

In addition to a 35-year old woman who was killed by Capitol police, and 3 others who died of “medical emergencies” outside the building, a law enforcement officer has now apparently died after being injured in the riot. His death is apparently being investigated as a possible homicide. Meanwhile when asked about it, the Justice Department did not rule out charging Trump for his role in instigating the violence. An inside source told reporters that over the past few weeks the President has been discussing the possibility of pardoning himself,