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President Donald Trump faces imminent impeachment by the House of Representatives, but that doesnt mean hell be removed from office. For the president to be ousted from the White House via impeachment, the Senate has to convict him with a two-thirds majority a tall order, given that its currently in Republican hands.

On Wednesday, the House will debate and likely vote on two articles of impeachment that the House Judiciary Committee approved last week. The articles charge the president with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, both of which are tied to the Ukraine scandal and Trumps urging of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, and his son, Hunter Biden.

The House is widely expected to pass those two articles a handful of Democrats are expected to deflect and vote against impeachment, while Republicans will likely hold the line. But impeaching a president doesnt immediately result in their exit from the White House. (Remember Bill Clinton, anyone?)

Once the House votes, the matter moves to the Senate, which will weigh whether to convict the president. There will be a trial, over which Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will preside.

Beyond that, theres still some wrangling over what, exactly, the trial will look like. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appears to have one thing in mind, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants it to go another way. And, of course, GOP senators are dealing with the presidents wants (and tweets), too.

Voxs Matt Yglesias and Andrew Prokop laid out what is and isnt delineated by law in the Senates role in impeachment and the trial:

In this trial, the House of Representatives acts as a prosecutor and chooses certain impeachment managers to argue their case in the Senate. Then, the presidents lawyers are the defense team the president does not have to appear in person and historically has not. The chief justice of the Supreme Court presides and is responsible for making procedural rulings during the trial, but the Senate can vote to overrule his decisions.

Now, though this is referred to as a trial, it is, again, a political and not legal process, so it doesnt have to follow the ordinary rules and practices of a criminal trial. Again, its up the Senate to decide how to structure it for instance, they can call witnesses to give live testimony (as they did for Andrew Johnson), or decide not to (as they did for Bill Clinton).

However the trial is structured, it ends with senators voting on the two charges and Trumps removal from office would require 67 yes votes on one or both articles.

There are currently 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and two independents (who generally vote with Democrats) in the Senate, meaning 20 GOP members would have to defect to convict Trump. Thats ... very unlikely to happen, to put it mildly. Multiple Republican senators have signaled that their minds are already made up on impeachment, and its unclear whether any, let alone 20, are going to vote to convict.

If the president were somehow removed from office, the line of succession would be as follows: Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. (That last scenario would mean a first lady Louise Linton.) In October, Yglesias went over nine possible impeachment scenarios, including the line of succession.

Conviction in the Senate is one way to remove the president, but its not the only one. Another option lies with the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution, which would require action from the presidents own Cabinet. Earlier this year, Prokop explained how the 25th Amendment works:

Specifically, thats Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment states that if, for whatever reason, the vice president and a majority of sitting Cabinet secretaries decide that the president is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, they can simply put that down in writing and send it to two people the speaker of the House and the Senates president pro tempore.

Then the vice president would immediately become acting president, and take over all the presidents powers.

Let that sink in one vice president and any eight Cabinet officers can, theoretically, decide to knock the president out of power at any time.

If the president wants to dispute this move, he can, but then it would be up to Congress to settle the matter with a vote. A two-thirds majority in both houses would be necessary to keep the vice president in charge. If that threshold isnt reached, the president would regain his powers.

If removing the president by impeachment is unlikely, this is an even more improbable scenario. Only two presidents have ever been impeached by Congress: Johnson and Clinton, neither of whom were convicted and removed from office. Richard Nixon resigned prior to his impeachment in the House, though he likely would have been impeached and later removed from office.

But the 25th Amendment has never been invoked to remove a sitting president. In other words, if Trump goes, it will probably be the result of the ballot box in 2020.

Read more from the original source:
Trump is likely to be impeached, but he wont be removed from office by the House impeachment vote - Vox.com

Vice President Mike Pence is expected to visit Israel in January for a ceremony marking 75 years to the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, an event that is expected to draw other world leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Israeli officials hoped to see U.S. President Donald Trump at the event, but since he is expected to be in Europe for the World Economic Forum, there are ongoing talks between American and Israeli officials about Pence being the senior American representative instead.

The event, set to be held on January 27, is jointly organized by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial organization. In recent weeks, however, the event has become the center of tensions between the offices of Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over who will presented publicly as the "host" of the foreign dignitaries.

Rivlin's office is reportedly unhappy with Netanyahu's attempts to take over the international event for his re-election campaign. In this year's previous election cycles, Netanyahu has highlighted his diplomatic experience and rapport with Putin and Trump. According to sources, he finds it important to appear side by side with world leaders just one month before Israel's election onMarch 2.

The Trump administration is also aware of the political tension surrounding the event, and doesn't want Pence's visit to Israel to appear as an attempt on its behalf to help Netanyahu's re-election efforts, according to two people who are involved in the ongoing talks over Pence's visit.

Washington has been frustrated by the fact that several gestures taken by Trump toward Israel over the past year have been presented in the American and Israeli media as politically-motivated attempts to help Netanyahu. This includes Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in March, exactly two weeks before this year's first Israeli election. Despite the timing of the announcement, the White House denied claims that it was tailored to suit Netanyahu's political needs.

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Pence expected to visit Israel next month for anniversary of Auschwitz liberation - Haaretz

As the House Judiciary Committee gaveled a rare prime time impeachment hearing inside the vaulted hall of the Ways and Means Committee Room on the evening of December 11, Donald Trump stood at a lectern in the White Houses East Room, lavishing praise on his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. I love Jared, Trump told casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Israeli ambassador Ron Dermer, and other high-profile guests attending the White Houses annual Hanukkah reception. A few hours earlier, at Kushners urging, Trump had signed a controversial executive order that classified Jews as a nationality for the purposes of enforcing anti-discrimination laws on college campuses. That morning, Kushner defended the policy in a New York Times op-ed. The flurry of activity reflected an emerging truth: As Trump ends the year by becoming only the third president in history to be impeached, Kushner is completing what is, by any measure, an unexpected comeback.

A year ago, it was conventional Washington wisdom that Kushner could be indicted in the Robert Mueller probe. Trumps previous chief of staff John Kelly effectively marginalized him during pivotal domestic and foreign policy debates. Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Guiliani even told Fox News that Kushner was disposable. Today, Kelly is gone and Giulianis fate is uncertain, while Kushner is exerting influence over virtually every significant White House decision, from negotiating trade deals to 2020 campaign strategy to overseeing Trumps impeachment defense. Jared is running everything, a former West Wing official told me.

Inside the West Wing, Kushner has both eliminated opponents and installed acquiescent officials. Jared was very frustrated with [Reince] Priebus and John Kelly, a Republican close to the White House, said. Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney was Jareds pick, the source said, and has allowed Kushner to function as de facto chief of staff. Mick has decided not to be in control, a former West Wing official said. Jared treats Mick like the help. Theres no pushback, a prominent Republican said. John Bolton, who recently mocked Kushner in a private speech, has been replaced by Robert OBrien, a Kushner ally. Sources say that Vice President Mike Pence and his advisers dont challenge Kushner after a string of leaks that Kushner wanted to replace Pence on the ticket with Nikki Haley. Pence people look at Jared apprehensively. Pence treats Jared as a peer, said former Trump aide Sam Nunberg. (The White House did not respond to a request for comment.)

One remaining opponent is Kellyanne Conway. Kushner has so far unsuccessfully lobbied Trump to fire Conway because of her husbands attacks on Trump. Kushner, though, recently prevailed over Conways objections that Trump didnt need to set up a White House war room, a source told me. Trump brought on former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi and Treasury Department spokesperson Tony Sayegh to run a daily messaging operation from a basement office underneath the West Wing. Kellyanne hates Bondi, a Republican close to the White House said. Jared pushed to get a war room because congressional Republicans said they needed it. (Reached for comment, Conway said she and Bondi "have been friends for years and years.")

Kushners survival owes a lot to the Trumpworld truism that family comes first and last. The family has a larger degree of trust and protection that no one else enjoys, the former West Wing official said. Trump has adopted Kushners view that the White House is winning the impeachment fight. Jared thinks Nancy Pelosi is running away from this as fast as she can, a prominent Republican said. But its also true that, at this point in Trumps term, Trump cant find anyone actually qualified who wants to work for him. Compared to everyone else, Jared has proved to be competent, Nunberg told me. It may be a low bar, but hes an asset there. As much influence as Kushner has now, some critics fear what a second term would look like. Theres no pushback now, said the prominent Republican. As they go into the second term, theyll be able to do whatever they want.

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Jared Treats Mick Like the Help: Its Jareds White House Now (Trumps Just Living in It) - Vanity Fair

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, seated directly to President Trumps left at a White House roundtable meeting with governors Monday on deregulation, said it was an honor to participate and tout Idahos progress on trimming regulations.

Regulatory reform has been one of Littles major initiatives in his first year as governor, including streamlining, scaling back or outright repealing hundreds of longstanding state administrative rules.

Little was among five GOP governors, one governor-elect, two state lawmakers and a Colorado tribal chairwoman invited to the White House meeting, which was attended by both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. In October, Trump announced his Governors Initiative on Regulatory Innovation and appointed Pence to head it up.

The initiative is aimed at working with state, local and tribal leaders who are championing deregulation and working toward cutting regulations and costs, reforming occupational licensing, and better aligning state and federal regulations.

During the meeting, Trump appeared to refer to Little as Fred. Littles spokeswoman, Marissa Morrison, said she thinks the president was saying Brad, but just with an accent on it.

Little posted a video clip from the White House meeting on his Facebook page, where Trump is seen thanking Pence, seated at his right, saying, Thank you, Mike, very much, and then turning to Little on his left and saying, Fred?

Well, Mr. President, Little responds, following your leadership, my first executive order was the two-for-one, to which Trump commented, Right, and Little continued, That for every new rule we get rid of two. I did pretty well exceeded that by 4,000%, he said to laughter from around the table.

We got rid of 82 rules for every new rule were implementing this year, Little said. But the whole effort of what it does, reducing the friction cost, particularly startup for small businesses, people that have a tougher time.

Trump, leaning toward Little, again commented, Right.

Washing away that regulatory friction at both the federal level and the state level, is a lot of that job creation, Little continued. And its the gift that keeps on giving, if you just keep being diligent on it.

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After a few more comments along those lines, Little concluded, We look forward to continuing to work with your administration on this, and Trump responded, Great job, thank you very much.

Heres how Little summed up the meeting on social media: It was an honor to meet with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence today to discuss the Governors Initiative on Regulatory Innovation. Idaho leads the way in Red Tape Reduction as the least-regulated state in America!

Little announced at a press conference Dec. 4 that Idaho has surpassed South Dakota as the least regulated state, based on a metric designed by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University that compares state regulatory codes with regards to both the number of words, and the recurrence of the words shall, must, may not, required, and prohibited in each states regulations.

In Idaho, Little said, The agencies reduced administrative code by over 1,800 pages since we took office. This amounts to 75% of all rules and regulations were either cut or simplified.

Little also had several other meetings while he was in Washington, D.C., on Monday and Tuesday, including with members of Idahos congressional delegation. He flew back to Idaho Tuesday afternoon.

Betsy Z. Russell is the Boise bureau chief and state capitol reporter for the Idaho Press and Adams Publishing Group. Follow her on Twitter at @BetsyZRussell.

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Idaho Gov. Little meets with Trump, Pence on regulatory reform - Idaho Press-Tribune

Glen Pannell, an activist and actor, has been making laps around New York City dressed as Mike Pence for years. (Twitter)

A gay guy has been doing laps around New York City collecting donations for LGBT+, pro-choice and refugee charities dressed as US vice president Mike Pence.

Yup, you read that right.

Nicknamed Mike Hot-Pence, hes been spotted in Times Square and Union Square and went viral last week after being papped by a passerby.

Donned in a full suit but tight blue short shorts, he carries around a small tub collecting loose change from commuters.

After arts administrator Howard Sherman snapped a photo of the Pence lookalike, he posted it to his Facebook page in an effort to identify him.

Today in "Times Square Weirdness," my continuing series: he's Mike Hot-Pence and he's collecting funds to support

Posted by Howard Sherman onSaturday, December 3, 2016

Amid dozens of Never change, NYC comments, the guy was later identified by vigilant New Yorkers as Glen Pannell.

Shortly after, Sherman interviewed Hot-Pence/Pannell, dubbing him a Times Square icon. He even asked Pannell what he would say to Pence if he was to ever meet him.

Just one? Ill keep it short, he said.

You have to represent all people, not just the ones that look like you. And me.

Speaking to Buzzfeed News, Pannell, a 51-year-old graphic designer and freelance actor, explained that the election result of 2017 dragged him down.

So, I finally decided I had to do something, he said, and it had to be bold and immediate, something I could point to at the end of the day and say: Heres what I did to make change.

For years, Pannell has donned his Pence outfit and taken to the streets of New York City to collect money. In keeping his top half pure Pence, Pannell finished his look with a pair of vintage athletic shorts from his high-school days.

Family and friends first noticed Pannells resemblance to the vice president, wondering if he was going to go as Pence for Halloween.

I have family in Indiana so I knew that Pence was governor, Pannell told Sherman.

But it wasnt until he signed the anti-gay Religious Freedom Bill last year that I really started paying attention to him.

Im gay so that made me sit up and take notice. And its those kinds of policy decisions that are energizing my activism now.

From National Coming Out Day to NYC Pride, Pannell accessorises his suit with rainbow ties and pocket squares to raise money for the Trevor Project a suicide prevention charity for LGBT+ youth.

He also told the outlet that he has shaken buckets for Planned Parenthood, the Natural Defence Council and the International Refugee Assistance Project.

These are all groups and causes that suffered when Pence was in office, so I worry about them in the next few years under a Trump-Pence administration, the 51-year-old said.

I had never thought of them as hot pants, but Mike Hot-Pence rocks that look.

I never expect anything I do to go viral online, he explained.

I do understand why people respond to it. Its funny, and its hopeful, and people need that right now.

Read more:
This gay guy dresses up as Mike Pence and collects money for LGBT+ charities and honestly, give him a Nobel Peace Prize - PinkNews