this is a bbc news special on the day president trump was impeached a second time. the resolution is adopted without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. donald trump becomes the first us president to be impeached twice a week after the riots on capitol hill. after some republicans sided with democrats to vote for impeachment, the president addressed the nation to again call for calm. i unequivocally condemned the violence — i unequivocally condemned the violence that we saw a sweet. violence — violence that we saw a sweet. violence and vandalism have no place _ violence and vandalism have no place in — violence and vandalism have no place in our country —— and that— place in our country —— and that we _ place in our country —— and

that we saw all week. a heavily—fortified us capital to prevent more violence. donald trump is accused of inciting an insurrection. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. another historic day here in washington. president trump has become the only us president to be impeached twice. the house of representatives here has spoken — all democrats in the house and ten house republicans voted to hold the president accountable for his actions in the lead—up to last week's riots. it comes a week after supporters of the president stormed the capitol building, and a week before president—electjoe biden is due to be sworn in. our north america editor jon sopel has this assessment. on this vote, the ayes... the moment donald trump carved

himself an unwelcome niche in american history, becoming the first president to be impeached twice. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. as dawn broke over the nation's capital, the place was somehow unrecognisable. the landscape had changed. it now feels like the front line, a garrison town, with the elegant marble corridors a barracks. the civil war president, abraham lincoln, looking down on resting servicemen. but impeachment 2.0 is different, very different. for a start, the us congress, where this is being heard, is also the crime scene where the trump—supporting mob descended last week. almighty god, wield your sword and penetrate the confusion and discontent of our country. and this isn't about some call to a ukrainian politician. this is about an assault on the sacred heart of us democracy. donald trump is charged with inciting it. the president must be impeached and i believe

the president must be convicted by the senate, a constitutional remedy that will ensure that the republic will be safe from this man, who is so resolutely determined to tear down the things that we hold dear and that hold us together. this was not a protest, this was an insurrection. this was a well—organised attack on our country that was incited by donald trump _ last time round, every republican voted as a block to back the president. but now, they're spitting three ways. there are those backing his impeachment. today, we make history forever, so choose well. a vote to impeach donald trump means, years from now, you can look your grandchildren in the eye and say, "i did the right thing." there were those questioning the impeachment process, but not backing donald trump. we need to recognise we are following a flawed process. we need to recognise that people of goodwill can differ. while the house may be done

with this matter after today's vote, it will not be done for the country. and a few whose support for donald trump is undimmed. today, the second annual- impeachment of president trump isn't really about actual words spoken at a rally. _ no, this is all about, _ madame speaker, the unbridled hatred of this president. the president made his first foray out of the white house yesterday, warning somewhat ominously that his supporters would be very angry if impeachment went ahead. but today, a new statement issued. today, airbnb announced it was cancelling all bookings in washington for next week.

some hotels are doing the same to stop potential rioters coming in. the capitol is becoming a citadel. today's impeachment vote caps off a week unlike any other for america's capital city. while president trump has been silenced on twitter, he has released a video in the last hour. we can listen to that now. my my fellow americans, i want to speak to you tonight about the troubling events of the past week. as i have said, the us capital structure of the part of our iwant to be very clear. i unequivocally condemned the violence that we saw last week. violence and vandalism have absolutely no

place in our country and no place in our country and no place in our movement. making america great again has always been about defending the rule of law. supporting the men and women in law enforcement. mob violence goes against everything i believe in and everything i believe in and everything our movement stands for. no true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence. no true supporter of mine could ever disrespect law enforcement or our great american flag. no true supporter of mine could ever threaten or harass their fellow americans. barbara plett—usherjoins us from capitol hill. you are covering that debate and vote all day. the president has been impeached, that's essentially a charge of misconduct, now the trial goes to the senate, but by the time

it begins, the president will have left office.— it begins, the president will have left office. yes, he will. there could _ have left office. yes, he will. there could possibly, - there could possibly, technically be a trial beforehand if the senate invoked emergency rules, but the top republican in the senate has said he's not going to do that. the trial will be after the inauguration. the explanation was they wanted to focus over the next week on a peaceful transition of power. it is exactly a week from today, but it means mr trump will be out of office and a new president will be in office when his impeachment trial starts. that was one of the criticisms by republicans on this democratic move. they said you're saying he's a danger, but why not just let you're saying he's a danger, but why notjust let him go if he's going to be gone in a week? but there was a clear determination amongst all the democrats that this was the step they needed to take, and i

think after having support of ten republicans in this vote, they will be looking to try to win enough support in the senate to convict mr trump, even though he is already left the white house.— the white house. barbara, what's the _ the white house. barbara, what's the atmosphere - the white house. barbara, | what's the atmosphere like the white house. barbara, - what's the atmosphere like on capitol hill? only a week ago, it was reeling from those trump supporters rioting and rampaging through the capital, and now, it is full of mac awe national guard members. if a national guard members. if a militarised _ national guard members. if —. militarised zone —— national guard members. it is surrounded by a seven foot high fence. you can't drive up to it, you have to dry up to the programme in order —— drive up to the perimeter. they are inside the capital building as well, and there's metal detectors outside there's metal detectors outside the door of the house chamber. so, it is very much a different

atmosphere from the mob and lawlessness of last week, but also a different atmosphere from normal because this is supposed to be the house of the people. there are usually quite a lot of tourists coming through. the access is not all that difficult if you go through the visitors centre. congressmen and women will often host members of their constituencies, so it is they've very different atmosphere from usual. if they've very different atmosphere from usual. if we talk about _ atmosphere from usual. if we talk about the _ atmosphere from usual. if we talk about the president's - talk about the president's video statement, he doesn't even mention the impeachment. he talked about it being a continuation of the greatest witchhunt in history, but now he seems to be presenting himself as a chance to know mike champion of law and order. do you think that's all about his legacy —— himself as champion of law and order. it

champion of law and order. it could be about his legacy, it could be about his legacy, it could be about his legacy, it could be he has his eye on the senate trial and he is trying to present evidence for that. that he want to be cautious and careful. it's possible that's what he's doing. he doesn't actually admit it was his supporters who carried out the violence. he says, "i'm not about violence, our movement is about violence, our movement is about law and order and if you carry out activity like that, it is not something, you are not our movement." so, that was an interesting approach. i don't think he's ever admitted it was his loyalist who attacked the capital building. he also talked about threats. he also talked about threats. he said he'd been briefed by secret service, that there were more demonstrations planned and he gave a warning that there should be no violence, no lawlessness and he was looking forward to the next stage.

barbara colette usher, thank you for that —— barbara plett—usher. you accurately predicted against the grain that donald trump would be elected in 2016. did you think he would be impeached twice? i did you think he would be impeached twice? i thought he would be impeached _ impeached twice? i thought he would be impeached at - impeached twice? i thought he would be impeached at least . would be impeached at least once. at the time i predicted his win in my september 2016 interview, i predicted that he would be impeached and everyone scoffed at me. but the very characteristics that i pointed to applied to both of them. this was an individual who, throughout his life, had no respect for the truth, for law and order and cared only about himself and everything was transactional. that produced both of his impeachment. now, donald trump _ both of his impeachment. now, donald trump has _

both of his impeachment. now, donald trump has music- both of his impeachment. now, donald trump has music that i both of his impeachment. now, | donald trump has music that -- donald trump has music that —— amused that airports will be named after him. what do you think his legacy will be? he will no think his legacy will be? he will go out _ think his legacy will be? he will go out as _ think his legacy will be? he: will go out as the most reviled of american presidents. he has committed...— committed... who 7 million eo - le committed... who 7 million people voted _ committed... who 7 million people voted for? - committed... who 7 million people voted for? let - committed... who 7 million people voted for? let me i people voted for? let me finish. people voted for? let me finish- l— people voted for? let me finish. i understand - people voted for? let me finish. i understand that. | finish. i understand that. first of all, the second transgression who came after that, and we have a very polarised country. and he got trounced by 7 million votes. what were the two transgressions? the first was a lying to the american people about the pandemic, even though he knew better, and botching the response, which caused needless tens of thousands of deaths, according to the experts. the second one was becoming the first president to incite an insurrection that

produced mayhem in the citadel of our democracy, resulting in five to seven deaths and many, many injuries. liz cheney, the daughter of former vice president dick cheney, no liberal, the third republican ranking in the house, said no president had ever committed a greater violation of their oath and what donald trump did a week ago. and what donald trump did a week ago-— week ago. yet it was very striking. _ week ago. yet it was very striking, listening - week ago. yet it was very striking, listening to - week ago. yet it was very striking, listening to the l striking, listening to the debate. how he has created a loyal card tray of supporters. the house is much more trumpy than the senate. is that part of his legacy? i than the senate. is that part of his legacy?— of his legacy? i think that's absolutely _ of his legacy? i think that's absolutely right. _ of his legacy? i think that's absolutely right. here's - of his legacy? i think that's| absolutely right. here's the irony. the republican party arose when the whig party was ripped apart by internal conflicts over the burning issue of the 1850s, slavery.

ironically, the republican party might face the same kind of internal divisions over the die—hard supporters of donald trump and the more moderate elements within the republican party. the republican party needs both of those wings or they're going to have a very difficult time reconciling the two and a —— avoiding the fate of the whigs. two and a -- avoiding the fate of the whigs-— two and a -- avoiding the fate of the whigs. you can see that tension playing _ of the whigs. you can see that tension playing out. _ of the whigs. you can see that tension playing out. you - of the whigs. you can see that tension playing out. you can . tension playing out. you can see kevin mccarthy in the house, that he is trying to navigate the populist wing of trumpism, and in the senate, you have mitch mcconnell holding open the possibility that he could vote to impeach the president. he's going to wait and hear the evidence. how significant do you think the senate trial is going to be, even though donald trump might not be in office any more? i not be in office any more? i think it's of vast significance for several reasons. number one, if he is convicted, it will be another terrible blow

to his brand. trump's finances depend on selling his brand. already, businesses across the world are fleeing from the trump brand. secondly, if he's convicted, even if he's out of office, he could be deprived of his post—presidential perks. office space, travel budgets, although he keeps security, and third, he could be barred from ever running again for federal office, mixing 2024, which may be something that mitch mcconnell and other senate republicans want to see happen. thank you so forjoining us there. thank you so for “oining us there. :, ~ y thank you so for “oining us there. :, ~ g ., there. take care. my great pleasure. _ there. take care. my great pleasure, good _ there. take care. my great pleasure, good night. - the republican senate leader has said a trial won't happen before joe has said a trial won't happen beforejoe biden is sworn in as the net president. if mr trump is convicted, he could lose the

benefits given to a former president. he explained what was behind the urgency. what was behind the urgency. what ha--ened was behind the urgency. what happened last _ was behind the urgency. ld'isgt happened last wednesday demonstrated to the world that donald trump has no regard over what's kept this country together over these years. he only thinks of self, and the preservation of whatever he is not on his agenda. he incited people to come and disrupt the transfer of power, the peaceful transfer of power, the peaceful transfer of power, the peaceful transfer of power. we're talking about votes taken two months ago, november the 3rd, certified at each state as well

as puerto rico. those 51 tallies, here, and all we were doing is what the constitution requires us to do— meet in a joint session, house and senate, presided over the vice president. and add those 51 states up to one big total. the votes had all been certified state—by—state. he had to try to overthrow what was done to disrupt the counting. that's a coup. this country has never even come close to anything like that. even come close to anything like that-— like that. james cliburn, senior democrats - like that. james cliburn, | senior democrats talking like that. james cliburn, - senior democrats talking about why it was important to him preached donald trump. in washington, tight security as unprecedented numbers of troops

around the us capital. day one of operation desert storm to force the rockies out of kuwait has seen the most intense air attack since the second world word —— iraquis. this may make people want to stop smoking cigarettes. huge arts stop smoking cigarettes. huge parts were _ stop smoking cigarettes. huge parts were simply _ stop smoking cigarettes. huge parts were simply demolished as a clashed into one another. this woman said she was given no help or advice or by the authorities.— no help or advice or by the authorities. , :, :, , authorities. tens of thousands of black children _ authorities. tens of thousands of black children and - authorities. tens of thousands of black children and south - of black children and south africa have taken advantage of laws and enrolled at formerly white schools.— laws and enrolled at formerly white schools. tonight sees the 9610 performance _ white schools. tonight sees the 9610 performance of— white schools. tonight sees the 9610 performance of their - 9610 performance of their non—running play. agatha

christie would have been the last person. this is bbc news, the latest headlines... donald trump becomes the first us president to be impeached twice, a week after the riots on capitol hill. in a video message, he calls for, but doesn't mention impeachment. security here in washington is extremely tight ahead of president—electjoe biden's inauguration. the department of homeland security called up roughly 20,000 national troops after the fbi and city police warned of new security threats following last week's riot that left five people dead and dozens injured. footage of thousands of national guard troops, seen resting in between shifts on the floor of the us capitol building, has been shared widely across the world. the bbc�*s larry madowo sent

this report from capitol hill. this is the last bit of temporary fencing that's coming up around the us capitol grounds. the entire place is now like a fortress, and you see this going all the way around. this place is usually open. i spoke to one person who's lived here for 19 years, he lives down the road. he says this is heartbreaking for him because he says the beauty of the american democracy is that government institutions are open to the people. he can walk right past this place, and he has done for many years. he walks and he runs past the steps of the us capitol, the white house, the supreme court, and all of that is now fortified. but this is because the inauguration on the 20th of january has been designated by the us department of homeland security as a national special security event, which means all the resources of the federal government are being brought together to make sure that the president—elect, the vice president—elect and everybody attending that event is safe. another step that's been taken is that even congressmen and senators have to go through metal detectors, which they didn't have to do before.

the staff, the aides and guests to the capitol grounds have to go through metal detectors now. even the congressmen are having to go through that, and some republicans are not happy about that event. it's all leading into this big security event where there's about 6600 national guardsmen the city already in the city of washington, dc. by the time of the inauguration, there'll be as many as 20,000, a source is telling us, which means there are more troops here in washington, dc than there are serving in afghanistan. this inauguration may be one of the most protected in american history. well, for more on the legal implications surrounding the president, i'm joined now from new york byjohn farrick, a professor at fordham university law school. thanks so much for being with us. of all the impeachments in history, president trump now has half of them, doesn't he?

it's on president in that it's the second time for an incumbent president, but at the same time, in terms of the impeachment history, it was bipartisan support for the impeachment resolution in the house of representatives today, as you know. ten members of the president's party supported the impeachment resolution, and that's different, i believe, from what you would find in the impeachment of president andrew johnson back in the 19th century, the impeachment of president clinton and in the impeachment of president trump. also, with respect to what might have been, the impeachment of richard nixon, but he resigned from office. there's an awful lot of speculation in washington that president trump might try to pardon himself forfederal

crimes that he hasn't even been charged with. is there any precedent for a president pardoning himself? i’m precedent for a president pardoning himself? i'm not aware of — pardoning himself? i'm not aware of any _ pardoning himself? i'm not aware of any president - aware of any president pardoning himself in the history of our country, and i did study that subject because i was asked by the american bar association way back but i thought about the legality of the parting that president ford gave to president nixon. ifelt it fell within the parameters of the constitution in terms of that particular pardon. but there is no history with respect to a president pardoning himself, and real issues would surround such a pardon. but i'm involved at fordham law school in a clinic on democracy of the constitution, and i had a group of students without

anticipating this moment, over the past two years studying the pardon power. there will be a report coming out in another day or two as a result. it was pending that report, but it will be coming out and will speak more to that issue. we look forward _ speak more to that issue. we look forward to that. you're in new york city, which is where the trump organisation was based for many years, and is it possible that once he's just a citizen, donald trump will face legal liability in new york city, where the attorney general is very aggressively investigating both the taxation and insurance of trump organisation buildings? yes, and the president's - organisation buildings? yes, and the president's power. organisation buildings? yes and the president's power in united states, in my view, does not reach state prosecutions. the district attorney of new

york county also participated in his own investigation so that those risks are present at that those risks are present at that time. and will be when he leaves that office —— office as president. leaves that office -- office as president-— leaves that office -- office as resident. :, ,, , :, , . president. thank you very much indeed for _ president. thank you very much indeed forjoining _ president. thank you very much indeed forjoining us _ president. thank you very much indeed forjoining us with - president. thank you very much indeed forjoining us with that i indeed forjoining us with that analysis of the president's legal situation.— analysis of the president's legal situation. thank you very much. a significant _ legal situation. thank you very| much. a significant tumultuous da in much. a significant tumultuous day in washington, _ much. a significant tumultuous day in washington, dc. - much. a significant tumultuous day in washington, dc. donald| day in washington, dc. donald trump is impeached for the second time. it is a bipartisan impeachmentjust about. ten impeachment just about. ten house impeachmentjust about. ten house republicansjoin in. now, this will go to the senate for the trial, but we know from the senate majority leader mitch mcconnell that the trial will not take place until afterjoe biden is sworn in. so, that there was up the spectre of incoming presidentjoe biden having to have in the senate the trial of his predisaster, wild joe biden is trying to crack on with his agenda ——

predisaster. here in washington, the capital itself is like a militarised zone with 20,000 members of the national guard there. this is bbc news. i'm laura trevelyan. thanks so much for watching. hello there. we have wet weather across many parts of the country at the moment but it's notjust rain. we've got snow falling, too, increasingly across scotland and northern england. we have this amber heavy snow warning from the met office. these are the main areas of concern. snow across other parts of scotland and northern england. this is where we are expecting the heaviest snow to be. over the hills, 20 cm by late morning on thursday, and some snow to lower levels as well inland. we have seen this band of cloud on that front moving its way slowly eastward. whilst we see milder air out towards the west, there is still cold air across northern and eastern parts of britain. that's why we are seeing the rain turning increasingly to snow over the hills.

quite a range of temperatures early on thursday morning. that wintry mix of rain and sleet and snow continues across much of scotland and northern england throughout thursday. wetter weather in the midlands down towards the southeast and we could see a bit of sleet and snow in that across lincolnshire for a while in the midlands. it will be colder underneath that wet weather. temperatures two to 4 degrees. colder still over the high ground. much milderfor northern ireland and wales in the southwest where it will be drier and some sunshine on the way for northern ireland. during the evening and overnight, we will find a lot of that wet weather, that wintry mix petering out, so it does become drier by the time we get to friday morning. but we are likely to have a widespread frost and that will lead to some icy conditions as well as that covering of snow. things are drying off because we are seeing this little ridge of high pressure building in from the southwest. the winds are going to be light across many parts of the country. we will be left with probably a lot of cloud around.

there may well be some quite low cloud and some fog which will be slow to lift. probably the best of the sunshine towards northeastern parts of scotland and improving towards the southwest as well. temperatures here lower than they have been over the past 24 hours. for many parts of the country, it will be another chilly day. a weather front sweeping across the country early into the weekend and behind that we get more of a northwesterly airflow, so for a while, early flow of rain and maybe some snow over the hills, it is soon replaced by sunshine and the rest of the weekend should be sunny and it will still be rather blustery.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the us house of representatives has impeached president trump for inciting last week's deadly assault on congress by his supporters — but his trial in the senate won't happen until after he leaves office. president trump for inciting insurrection, a week after his supporters stormed the capitol. mr trump becomes the first president to be impeached twice. ten republicansjoined the democrats' in a vote to put him on trial in the senate. as the speaker nancy pelosi signed the articles of impeachment, she said president trump represented a clear and present danger to the united states and no—one was above the law. if he is convicted he could be barred from standing from public office again. in a statement released by the white house, twitter account, president trump says there is never any justification for violence and he urges americans to be united.

now on bbc news... hardtalk.