This week, U.S. House , senators and even Republican governors from across New England called for the removal of President Donald Trump from office.
That's after a mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol. One of the concerned lawmakers is Rep. Jim McGovern of Worcester.
"I am very worried about him remaining in office for the next two weeks," McGovern said Thursday. "Two weeks doesn't sound like a long time, but when you're talking about Donald Trump, it's a lifetime."
Republican Governors Charlie Baker of Massachusetts also ed the chorus —saying Trump incited the insurrection.
"Yesterday's events were appalling, disgraceful, and depressing," said Baker, long a critic of Trump's. "But it's important to they were the culmination of months of president Trump repeating over and over again that the American electoral system is a fraud."
Interestingly, Connecticut's Democratic governor, Ned Lamont, said Thursday he does not think Trump should be removed and wants Congress focused on the pandemic and uniting the country.
ist Kristin Palpini said the events of this week made her "spitting mad," but she worries about a potential unintended consequence of ousting Trump.
"It makes me nervous to remove Trump and put [Vice President] Pence in place," she said. "Is he going to pardon him? I'd hate to see that."
Efforts to remove Trump from office could have negative implications for the incoming president, according to ist Ron Chimelis.
"My sympathy goes to Joe Biden. He wants to unite the country. I don't think an impeachment in the last week — I don't think an attempt to invoke the feckless 25th Amendment...I just don't see the point of doing that," Chimelis said. "I'm one of those [saying] turn the page."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkwFFzEDFQ8&feature=youtu.be
The events in Washington overshadowed the end of the legislative session in Massachusetts. State lawmakers sent a flurry of bills to Governor Baker's desk, including ones dealing with creating a new motto and seal for the state.
Also this week, the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese said it's working with an outside organization to gather information and from clergy abuse survivors, in order to help come up with a strategic plan. The head of a task force said the diocese is using the firm Stop It Now because many who suffered abuse are rightfully angry and disillusioned, and may not want to speak directly to church officials.
The Springfield Diocese Worcester — where the church says the names can be found from other sources.
Guests:
- Kristin Palpini, managing editor, Daily Voice Massachusetts
- Ron Chimelis, reporter and columnist, Springfield Republican
