‘They’re running away’: Clyburn blames DeVos and Chao for stepping down without invoking 25th Amendment



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The South Carolina Democrat suggested that Trump would likely not be removed from office by arraignment less than two weeks before his term expires.

“No, I don’t think 13 or 14 days is enough for that. But it’s pretty safe for the vice president and cabinet members, ”Clyburn said, before invoking DeVos and Chao.

“For two cabinet members to resign, it tells me they are shirking responsibility. If they felt it strongly, they would stay there and wait for this meeting so that they could cast two of the votes needed to invoke the 25th Amendment, ”he said. “They run away.”

Spokesmen for the two resigning secretaries did not immediately return requests for comment on Clyburn’s criticisms.

DeVos and Chao on Thursday became the two most high-profile administration officials to step down in protest after the violence on the Capitol Hill Wednesday afternoon, when pro-Trump rioters stormed the building amid certification by Congressman-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College. DeVos’ resignation takes effect Friday while Chao’s resignation is effective January 11.

Before the riot – which resulted in the deaths of five people, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer – the president chipped his supporters at a rally outside the White House and encouraged them to march on the Capitol. “You will never take back our country with weakness. You have to be strong and you have to be strong, ”he said.

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers, many former federal officials, some governors and at least one member of the Republican House have all demanded the immediate impeachment of Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday called on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, as did Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).

And Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Deputy Speaker of the House, predicted Friday morning that the entire chamber could vote to impeach Trump again as early as the middle of next week. When asked if this potential timeline was accurate, Clyburn told CNN, “Oh, I think so.”

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