In a scathing editorial published Wednesday, The Washington Post editorial board called for President Trump’s immediate removal from office, saying he is solely responsible for the violent mob that stormed the Capitol.
The newspaper said Trump incited violence by encouraging rioters to take action as Congress convened a joint session to tally and record the Electoral College votes certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
“Responsibility for this act of sedition lies squarely with the president, who has shown that his continued tenure in office poses a grave threat to U.S. democracy,” the Post wrote. “He should be removed.”
“The president is unfit to remain in office for the next 14 days,” the op-ed continued. “Every second he retains the vast powers of the presidency is a threat to public order and national security.”
The blistering editorial comes just hours after a chaotic and violent scene unfolded on Capitol Hill when Trump supporters breached security and charged through the Capitol, forcing a lockdown, evacuations and confrontations with police.
The editorial board said Vice President Pence should invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
“Mr. Pence should serve until President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20,” the Post wrote.
