WASHINGTON — Rep. John Curtis (UT-3) and a group of fellow Republicans in Congress introduced a resolution Tuesday to censure President Donald Trump.
The resolution accuses Trump of "attempting to unlawfully overturn" the presidential election and "violating his oath of office" last Wednesday, when a group of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building while Congress met to approve the electoral votes.
READ: Group of Republican members of Congress suggest censuring Trump as opposed to impeachment
Curtis said everyone involved in the riot, which some have called an insurrection, must be held accountable — Trump included.
"Censuring the President and making it clear that Congress does not support any level of his involvement in the riots nor any attempts to undermine an election is a critical step in holding him accountable as more facts continue to unfold,” Curtis said in a statement issued Tuesday. "I urge the Speaker and Democratic leadership to allow time for a full impeachment inquiry so we can properly bring these facts to light and hold those responsible accountable."
Curtis previously said that he was in favor of a full impeachment process, but, similar to the latest statement, discouraged rushing the process.
He also posted a video Tuesday in which he went into more depth on his position on the issue.
My heart aches for where we're at as a country. I landed in DC this afternoon and want to share where I'm at on #impeachment. #utpol pic.twitter.com/4Tjs9aIHWT
— Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) January 12, 2021
The congressman added Tuesday that he and his fellow lawmakers have a "solemn duty" to hold Trump accountable for his actions, and to "calm and heal the fever-pitch tensions in our country."
According to an email from Curtis' staff, the resolution calls on Congress to state publicly that the president "acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law." It also calls on Congress to "censure and condemn" him for trying to unlawfully overturn the election and "violating his oath of office."
READ: The impeachment process explained
The resolution also seeks to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, as certified by last week's Joint Session of Congress, and to confirm that he will be lawfully sworn in to office on Jan. 20.
The president has committed to an "orderly" transition of power on Jan. 20, but continues to deny any part in causing last week's siege of the Capitol.
