News: Axios PM: Trump makes history — McConnell leaves open path to convict

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Axios PM: Trump makes history — McConnell leaves open path to convict

Axios PM

By Mike Allen ·Jan 13, 2021

Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 477 words, a 2-minute read.

🚨 Situational awareness: Airbnb is canceling existing reservations and blocking new ones in the D.C. area during inauguration week as federal officials are on alert for potential violence.

1 big thing: Trump, twice impeached

Photo: House TV

With soldiers guarding the Capitol halls, Donald J. Trump became the first president in American history to be impeached twice.

The tally for history: 232-197, with 10 Republicans voting to impeach. (None voted to impeach last year.)

Why it matters: Real cracks are showing in Trump's GOP support.

Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy, who opposed impeachment, said Trump "bears responsibility" for last week's insurrection.
Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell left open a path to conviction, saying he'll listen to the arguments when presented to the Senate.

Screenshot: CNN

Between the lines: Trump called for "no violence" in a statement to Fox News today.

He had to distribute it via the media, White House statement and text message because he's been suspended or banned from all major social media platforms.

What's next: The Senate trial will likely take place during the Biden administration, potentially changing the dynamics around conviction and removal.

McConnell won't be calling back the Senate ahead of Jan. 19.
His team thinks the idea that Trump could be convicted and removed from office before the inauguration is a fantasy, sources tell Axios' Alayna Treene.
The Senate trial requires much more logistical planning than the House impeachment.
That includes drafting and passing a resolution for what the Senate's order of business will look like, walk-throughs in the chamber, and contacting the Supreme Court chief justice, who will preside.
A huge issue for McConnell, and one of the main reasons he declined reconvening for an emergency session, is avoiding conflicting with the all-hands-on-deck security slated for the inauguration.

The bottom line: A year ago this week, Trump's first impeachment trial began. A week ago today, a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol. A week from today, Joe Biden will be president.

The National Guard gears up. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images

2. A first in 150 years

Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Above: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland, walks past members of the National Guard as he arrives at the Capitol today.

Jane Campbell, president and CEO of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, told me: "The last time soldiers were quartered in the Capitol was during the Civil War. … They were protecting the Union. Now, they're protecting the Capitol."

Below: Members of the National Guard rest in the Capitol Visitors Center ahead of the House vote.

Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

3. Catch up quick

Early backlash: Top Trump allies in the House Republican conference circulated a petition demanding that Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) resign from her leadership position over her support for Trump's impeachment. Go deeper.
Cloud storage company Dropbox is cutting 315 jobs, or about 11% of its workforce. Go deeper.
Qualcomm will pay $1.4 billion to buy Nuvia, a chip startup founded by former Apple employees. Go deeper.
The incoming Intel CEO will be Pat Gelsinger, with current chief Bob Swan stepping down as of Feb. 15. Go deeper.
🎧 Axios Re:Cap goes deeper with Affirm CEO Max Levchin to discuss his firm's IPO today, why he believes credit cards are "flawed" and the growing centrality of fintech. Listen here.