People in Conn. React to Call For Trump to Resign or Face Impeachment

President Trump could face impeachment hearings for the second time in just over a year. On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House of Representatives will begin evaluating the Impeachment of President Trump if he does not resign.

Reacting to Wednesday’s events, where rioters overtook the U.S. Capitol, Pelosi issued a statement that read in part:

“It is the hope of members that the president will immediately resign. But if he does not, I have instructed the Rules Committee to be prepared to move forward with Congressman Jamie Raskin’s 25th Amendment legislation and a motion for impeachment.”

In a statement on Friday, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called on President Donald Trump to resign. “But if he does not, I have instructed the Rules Committee to be prepared to move forward with Congressman Jamie Raskin’s 25th Amendment legislation and a motion for impeachment.”

The idea of impeachment has been met with a strong but mixed reaction around the country and here in Connecticut.

“At this point, I would support it for sure,” said Jacob Herz of Mansfield. “I think that impeaching the president would actually be a good idea.”

The chaos at the Capitol are starting to show consequences for President Donald Trump, who have largely spent his years in office flouting presidential conventions with the support of his staff and party. Lawmakers, including Republican House member Adam Kinzinger, have called for Vice President Mike Pence to unseat Trump via the 25th amendment. Meanwhile, Trump's cabinet and staff members are leaving their posts in protest, with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos among the handful handing in their resignation.

With Trump’s term coming to a close in a matter of days, not everyone agrees with impeachment.

“I don’t think it’s worth it,” said Saudi Gafor of Newington. “We’re two weeks away from the inauguration. I think we should just wait. Wait it out and let it go.”

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If it does happen, Trump would become the first President to be impeached by the House twice. UConn Associate Professor of Political Science Ronald Schurin explains the process and said there are several reasons the House of Representatives may pursue this.

“One is to simply go on record and have the members of Congress say, 'what happened last week cannot stand,'” said Shurin.

The riots at the U.S. Capitol have prompted calls from a number of high-ranking politicians, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for President Trump to be removed from office through the 25th Amendment. But there are a number of obstacles that stand in the way of that happening. NBCLX's Clark Fouraker explains.

Despite having less than two weeks remaining in Trump’s presidential term, Schurin said the process could continue beyond that.

“Impeachment can begin the process and continue after the president is already out of office,” he explained.

According to an early proposal of impeachment papers, obtained by NBC News, it contains one article: incitement of insurrection. A conviction could ensure Trump is not allowed to hold political office again.

“It is in essence taking Donald Trump out of political activity thereafter,” said Shurin.

After rioting at the U.S. Capitol this week, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy talked about discussions about invoking the 25th amendment or starting the impeachment process against President Trump.

The articles of impeachment could be introduced in the House as early as this coming week. As for the Senate, it is not in session until Jan. 19, the day before Joe Biden’s inauguration. The Senate could return earlier but only upon unanimous consent.