On January 7, 2021, Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) submitted an open letter, signed by more than 6,500 attorneys representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, to the offices of Vice President Mike Pence, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, calling on them to uphold their oaths of office, invoke the 25th Amendment, and remove Donald Trump from his presidency immediately.
In total, more than 12,000 lawyers and other supporters joined the letter calling for Trump and other complicit lawmakers to be held accountable for the violent insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The letter calls for protecting the rule of law and democracy, reminding those in power that a sitting president cannot be allowed to incite violence or interfere with the peaceful transition of power to a new administration. Elections have consequences, and the American people have spoken and voted President Donald J. Trump out of office. His refusal to acknowledge and respect the will of the people, and support of those who violently attacked the Capitol on January 6, is an unprecedented and unlawful authoritarian power grab.
The letter demands:
Vice President Pence must immediately convene the Cabinet and vote to declare Donald John Trump unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and assume the powers and duties of the office of Acting President, in order to allow for the peaceful transition of power.
Members of Congress must put aside their partisanship and immediately impeach and remove Donald John Trump from office and disqualify him from ever again holding future office.
In the weeks and months ahead, Congress and the Executive Branch must enact a truth commission to investigate the unlawful activities of any person who contributed to these profoundly damaging crimes and to make referrals to law enforcement where appropriate.
“The president’s words and actions are profoundly damaging and represent an immediate threat to our republic and the rule of law,” said Lawyers for Good Government’s president Traci Feit Love. “Those given the power to respond by our Constitution have a duty to take action immediately, using the full force of their office to protect the United States of America from a president who has incited a violent attack on the Capitol.”
To learn more about our work:
Follow us on Twitter.
Like our Facebook page.
Text 404.382.9644 to join our rapid response text group.