Updated, 6:13 a.m., 1/112/21
Freshman U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Grand Rapids) may be ready to follow in his predecessor’s footprints and impeach President Donald Trump after Wednesday’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that left several dead.
Meijer, the veteran and heir to the Meijer grocery chair who was elected in November in the Grand Rapids-anchored West Michigan seat, told FOX-17 on Monday that he was “strongly considering” impeachment.
“When it comes to impeachment, it’s something we’re strongly considering at this point. Again, you know, there are timelines and other considerations and additional information that that I want to have before making that decision, affirmatively,” Meijer said. “But again, I think what we saw on Wednesday left the president unfit for office.”
U.S. House Democrats say they have enough votes to impeach Trump
As the Advance previously reported, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives believe they have the votes to impeach President Donald Trump that was introduced Monday, charging him with inciting the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week.
Six of the seven Democratic members from Michigan have signed on: U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn), Dan Kildee (D-Flint), Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield), Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Twp.), Haley Stevens (D-Rochester Hills) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit). Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) signed on later on Monday.*
Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House in December 2019 for withholding aid unless the Ukrainian government to dug up dirt on now-President-elect Joe Biden. The GOP-controlled Senate acquitted Trump almost a year ago.
Meijer’s predecessor, Justin Amash, left the GOP in July 2019 over his support for Trump’s impeachment and became a Libertarian. Meijer and other Republicans had jumped into the race earlier that year, arguing the district needed new leadership.
