'A Threat To National Security': Ted Lieu Calls For Trump's Oust

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles) announced he is circulating articles of impeachment, joining several lawmakers and other officials in their effort to remove President Donald Trump from office. The impeachment calls come after Wednesday's riotous attack on the Capitol building that left four people and forced Congress to temporarily evacuate.

Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) are also circulating the articles. The letter not only cites yesterday's horrific events but references President Trump's previous efforts to cast doubt upon election results and his phone call to Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to win him the election.

"In all of this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and the security of the United States and its institutions of government," the impeachment articles said. "He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coordinate branch of government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States."

Lieu also joined several Congressmembers in writing a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, asking him to invoke the 25th Amendment, which could immediately relieve President Trump of his duties.

Orange County Rep. Katie Porter shared her thoughts on the immediacy of their joint purpose.

"It would be a mistake to wait for the President-Elect’s inauguration in an effort to put this behind us," Porter wrote. "Our duty demands that we act today to provide accountability."

The letter states:

"It is with great sadness that we write to you following the incidents that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol today," the letter reads. "As you presided over the U.S. Senate, angry supporters of President Trump attempted an insurrection, illegally storming and breaching the U.S. Capitol building attempting to stop the certification of President-elect Biden's victory."

Early Thursday morning, after congress had officially certified Joe Biden as the next president, Trump issued a statement through his secretary committing to a peaceful transition of power while continuing to make unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the November election.

"Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th," he said. "I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it's only the beginning of our fight to make America great again."

Read also:

• 'We Barricaded For 6 Hours' Rep. Katie Porter On Capitol Attack
• 'They Were Banging At The Doors' Rep. Correa Talks Capitol Scene
• Southland Leaders Respond To Capitol Hill Crisis, Violence

City News Service, Patch Staffer Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.