US Congress to Vote Soon on Trump Impeachment... National Guard Deployed in Large Numbers at Capitol

Impeachment Vote Scheduled Today
Lawmakers Surprised by Military Presence Inside Capitol
Republicans Refuse Senate Session... Senate Vote Difficult During Trump’s Term
Trump Issues Statement: "No Violence Allowed"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 13th (local time), ahead of the U.S. House of Representatives vote on the impeachment of President Donald Trump, National Guard troops were deployed throughout the Capitol. They are resting inside the Capitol and not leaving the building.

Currently, a state of emergency has been declared in Washington D.C., with 15,000 National Guard troops deployed. It is expected that 20,000 National Guard troops will be stationed until President Joe Biden's inauguration.

On this day, lawmakers had to pass between National Guard troops lying on the floor of the Capitol building.

Korean-American Democratic Representative Andy Kim shared a photo on Twitter showing the Capitol filled with National Guard troops, stating, "For the first time since the Civil War, thousands of soldiers are in the Capitol. I worry about how this country has deteriorated and how we can get out of this chaos."

On the same day, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the National Guard troops guarding the perimeter of the Capitol.

Democratic Party House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is walking through the National Guard members resting inside the Capitol building, heading towards the meeting room.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Pelosi: "Trump is a clear and present danger... must disappear"

Speaker Pelosi emphasized the necessity of impeachment by stating in Congress, "President Trump must disappear. He is a clear and present danger to the country we love." The House is scheduled to conclude debate on impeachment and vote on the articles of impeachment this afternoon.

Even if the articles of impeachment pass the House, it is unlikely that the Senate will handle it during Trump's term. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate will not convene for a floor session until January 19, one day before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.

National Guard members are lying on the floor of the Capitol, resting. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Visitors to the U.S. Capitol are passing through metal detectors.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued a statement during the impeachment debate in Congress, urging restraint amid concerns of violence ahead of his impeachment and Biden's inauguration.

He stated, "I urge that there must be no violence, no lawbreaking, and no destruction of public property of any kind."