Congress reconvenes to certify Bidens win after rioters breach Capitol

Two members of the House confronted each other on the House floor over a push to strike another members' remarks from the record.

It began when Rep. Morgan Griffith, a Republican from Virginia, objected to what Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Conor Lamb said during the Pennsylvania Electoral College challenge debate.

This is what Lamb said that led to GOP members objecting:

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"Enough has been done today here today already to try to strip this Congress of its dignity and these objectors don't need to do anymore. We know that that attack today, it didn't materialize out of nowhere, it was inspired by lies, the same lies that you're hearing in this room tonight. And the members who are repeating those lies should be ashamed of themselves, their constituents should be ashamed of them," he said.
Rep. Andy Harris and Rep. Colin Allred yelled at each other to “sit down” “no, you sit down!” from across the floor.

They both then confronted each other in the aisle. At least a dozen other members bench cleared from their sides. Rep. Al Lawson of Florida, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, and a senior Democratic staffer helped break up the confrontation.

According to CNN's Kristin Wilson, who was in the room, the situation diffused fairly quickly but tensions were high.

The deputy Sergeant-at-Arms showed up in the scrum.

11 min ago
Trump "committed a mortal crime against the republic," former GOP congressman says
From CNN's Leinz Vales

Former Republican Rep. Charlie Dent.
Former Republican Rep. Charlie Dent. CNN
Former Republican Rep. Charlie Dent expressed his disgust Wednesday over rioters who stormed the US Capitol building and President Trump's rhetoric that helped sparked the unrest. 

"He's committed a mortal crime against the republic," Dent said. "He should have resigned over this, but he won't, of course."
In an interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon, the former Pennsylvania lawmaker conveyed his anger with a pro-Trump rioter carrying a Confederate flag inside the Capitol building, calling it a "desecration."

"I always proudly took my constituents to a plaque right by the east-front Capitol, right by the front door. It's a plaque dedicated to the honorary first defenders from Allentown, Pennsylvania, in Redding, Pennsylvania ... who went to the Capitol, at the call of Abraham Lincoln, to defend the Capitol during the Civil War. ... The confederates never got there. They were there to protect against the rebellion. And here we are, watching Confederate flags running through the Capitol. To see this desecration to me, it's so upsetting as an American, as a Republican. How could this happen?"

23 min ago
Democratic congresswoman joins calls for Trump's removal by the 25th Amendment
From CNN's Josiah Ryan

In this image from video, Rep. Madeleine Dean, of Pennsylvania, speaks as the House debates the objection to confirm the Electoral College vote from Pennsylvania, at the U.S. Capitol early on Thursday, January 7.
In this image from video, Rep. Madeleine Dean, of Pennsylvania, speaks as the House debates the objection to confirm the Electoral College vote from Pennsylvania, at the U.S. Capitol early on Thursday, January 7. House TV
Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean on Thursday joined calls for President Trump's removal from office by means of the Constitution's 25th Amendment. 

"I certainly hope it is [possible]," the Pennsylvania lawmaker said speaking on CNN. "...I think this President has proved himself day after day, month after month, year after year to be unstable and unfit."

"In these waning days of this disgraceful presidency I hope we will be able to invoke the 25th Amendment," she continued.

If not now, "when would you do it?" Dean asked.

36 min ago
Texas Republican criticizes Trump's rhetoric: "We hit bottom"
From CNN’s Morgan Rimmer

 

Senator John Cornyn of Texas arrives during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on November 17, 2020 in Washington, DC. 
Senator John Cornyn of Texas arrives during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on November 17, 2020 in Washington, DC. Hannah McKay/Pool/Getty Images
Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate GOP leadership team, said that today “we hit bottom,” before suggesting that the President Trump’s rhetoric led to the attack on the Capitol. 

“You get that many people together and get them stirred up, you simply can’t control them,” the Texas Republican said. “And I don’t know what the crowd’s composed of – that’s one reason why you don’t stir people up and say ‘go up and tell the people in the Capitol what you think about it,’ because you’re gonna get some people potentially infiltrating those groups that are gonna do things that you’re not gonna want them to do.”
Asked whether Trump hurt himself among rank-and-file Republicans with today's actions, Cornyn said he doesn't know because of Trump's strong support, but added that he thinks "this will, this will open up, I think, some backlash, because I don’t think anybody accepts this as a satisfactory outcome."

53 min ago
White House deputy national security adviser resigns in wake of Trump’s response to riots
From CNN's Kaitlan Collins

White House Deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger resigned in response to President Trump’s reaction to a mob of his supporters breaching the US Capitol, a person close to Pottinger confirmed to CNN.

He told people there was very little for him to consider. 

CNN reported Wednesday night that several of President Donald Trump's top aides, including national security adviser Robert O'Brien and deputy chief of staff Chris Liddell, were considering resigning.