Rep. Castro is one of the House managers of the impeachment.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro will serve on a team overseeing the impeachment of President Donald Trump, a spot in history for the San Antonio Democrat as the House moves to make Trump the first president to be impeached twice.
The House is moving swiftly to impeach the president, who Democrats and some Republicans blame for inciting the insurrection at the Capitol last week, where five people were killed. A vote is expected today.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, the transfer of power has not been peaceful,” Castro said. “To protect the American people and as a consequence for these deadly actions, President Donald J. Trump must be removed from office immediately and prevented from ever occupying the presidency again.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday night that Castro will be among nine House Democrats serving as impeachment managers.
“It is their constitutional and patriotic duty to present the case for the president’s impeachment and removal,” Pelosi said in a statement. “They will do so guided by their great love of country, determination to protect our democracy and loyalty to our oath to the Constitution. Our managers will honor their duty to defend democracy for the people with great solemnity, prayerfulness and urgency.”
Castro, a former chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, will be the second Texan to help impeach Trump.
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Houston Democrat, served on the team prosecuting the case in the House last year.
Democrats argued the president should be removed from office for abusing his power by withholding military aide to pressure Ukraine into investigating President-elect Joe Biden, and for obstructing congressional inquiries into the matter.
“The responsibility to serve as an impeachment manager is a solemn duty — one that arises from my oath to protect the Constitution and safeguard our democracy for future generations,” Castro said.
It’s another high-profile appointment for the 46-year-old lawmaker, who has seen his influence grow in the House.
It comes just a month after Castro came up short in a bid to lead the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, but nonetheless drew sizable support as the fiveterm congressman sought to buck the tradition of handing chairmanships based on seniority.
Castro also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Committee on Education and Labor.
The impeachment team led by U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland includes: U.S. Reps. Diana Degette and Joe Neguse of Colorado; David Cicilline of Rhode Island; Eric Swalwell and Ted Lieu of California; Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands; and Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania.
The House voted along party lines Tuesday night to pass a resolution calling on Pence to strip Trump of power by invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows the administration to remove a president unfit for office. Pence said he would not do so.
During a trip to South Texas to visit a segment of the border wall, Trump called impeachment “a continuation of the greatest and most vicious witch hunt in the history of politics” that is “causing tremendous anger and division.”
“Which is very dangerous for the USA, especially at this very tender time,” Trump said. “Now is the time for our nation to heal, and it’s time for peace and calm.”