U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley told Boston Public Radio on Friday that the Democratic caucus will meet later in the day to discuss articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his role in the insurrection on Wednesday, when a violent group of his supporters stormed the Capitol Building. Pressley said she expects to see those resolutions presented to Congress "sometime next week."
Trump has only 12 days left in his presidency, and while a full impeachment trial seems unlikely given the time frame, Pressley said there is "growing bipartisan support" for his impeachment.
"Just four days ago, my colleagues and I were sworn in and took an oath of office to defend our constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic, that includes the president of the United States himself," she said, noting that Republican members of Congress who voted to reject the results of the election or have otherwise repeated Trump's rhetoric also share responsibility for the insurrection.
"Republicans share the responsibility for these consequences, for fomenting hate and turning a blind eye to his violence, his extremism," she said.
Pressley said she has joined incoming Rep. Cori Bush in seeking a full investigation of the events Wednesday and possible expulsion of members of the House of Representatives who objected to certifying Joe Biden’s election win.
While describing the events that unfolded Wednesday, Pressley’s voice conveyed the immense fear she felt on that day, and at one point she paused to compose herself.
She said that while she and her staff had prepared for protesters — with the acknowledgement that things may get tense — they had felt that once they were inside the Capitol Building, they would be safe.
"There was a moment, where we were in the dark, on the ground, with gas masks in our hands, with furniture and water bottles used to barricade the doors closed, and it was terrifying. It was absolutely terrifying," she said. "It was a terrifying moment, to see a noose hung on the west lawn of the Capitol, to see people parading through the halls of Congress with confederate flags. It was frighteningly familiar, and I cannot pretend there were not legitimately moments where I feared for my life."
