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House approves resolution calling to remove Trump by 25th Amendment

Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

In a vote of 223-205, the House of Representatives on Tuesday night approved a resolution calling on Vice President Pence to remove President Trump from office by invoking the 25 Amendment.

Why it matters: The resolution — introduced by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) — is highly symbolic, as it does not bind Pence to take action, but it looks to pressure the vice president.

Breaking news in 5
Axios AM/PM: Breaking news on politics and other top stories, all in 5 minutes. Subscribe for free.

Supreme Court allows execution of only woman on death row

Demonstrators protest federal executions of death row inmates, in front of the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., in December. Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 vote late Tuesday that Lisa Montgomery, the only woman on federal death row, should be executed. The court's three liberal justices dissented.

Why it matters: Montgomery is set to become the first female federal inmate to be put to death in almost 70 years.

Of note: A federal judge on Tuesday granted Montgomery a stay of execution just hours before she was scheduled to die by lethal injection at a federal prison complex in Indiana. AP journalist Michael Tarm reports her execution is imminent.

Editor's note: This a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

YouTube takes down Trump video, bans new uploads for a week

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

YouTube said Tuesday that it has taken down newly posted video content from President Trump for violating its policies against inciting violence. In addition, it has assessed a "strike" against the account, which means the president can't upload new videos or livestream to the account for a minimum of 7 days.

Why it matters: YouTube has been under pressure to take action after Twitter permanently suspended Trump's account and Facebook instituted a 2-week ban.

Ina Fried, author of Login
2 hours ago - Technology

Amazon says violent posts prompted Parler shutdown

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

In a court filing late Tuesday, Amazon said it booted right-wing social network Parler from its AWS cloud service after flagging dozens of pieces of violent content starting in November.

Why it matters: Parler is suing Amazon, saying its expulsion violates antitrust laws. In its response, Amazon cites the violent content as well as its protection under section 230 of the Communications Decency Act among its defenses.

Mike Allen, author of AM
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: McConnell leans toward convicting Trump

Photos: Getty Images

There's a better than 50-50 chance that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would vote to convict President Trump in an impeachment trial, sources tell Axios.

What they're saying: "The Senate institutional loyalists are fomenting a counterrevolution" to Trump, said a top Republican close to McConnell.

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: House freshmen at war after Capitol siege

Rep. Nancy Mace attends freshmen orientation in November. Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

The freshmen class of House Republicans has been fighting since last Wednesday's Capitol assault, creating a clear split just over a week after being sworn in.

What we’re hearing: On Tuesday, Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) got in a tart back and forth on a text chain with all freshmen GOP members, according to sources who've read the text messages.

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Rubio asks Biden for $2K stimulus checks as unity appeal

Sen. Marco Rubio. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) urged President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday night to immediately call on Congress to pass $2,000 stimulus checks for the American people as a sign of congressional unity, according to a letter obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: Rubio has supported such payments before, but in asking the incoming president to "break the paralysis in Washington by delivering desperately needed relief," the possible 2024 presidential candidate is presenting himself as a practical partisan. Biden already supports the payments.

Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

No. 3 House Republican Liz Cheney says she will vote to impeach Trump

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) on Tuesday night became the fourth Republican lawmaker to publicly announce their support for impeaching President Trump — hours after GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said she would do so.

Why it matters: House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment that accuses Trump of inciting insurrection against the U.S. government, after a mob of his supporters breached the U.S. Capitol. The House will vote Wednesday on impeachment.

Updated 3 hours ago - Economy & Business

Large corporations cut off political donations after Capitol siege

Photo: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty

In a shock to Washington Inc., several corporations and tech giants are restricting or suspending political contributions after the Capitol siege.

Why it matters: The politics of pandering to the mob have become too dangerous for many of America's business leaders.

Updated 4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Pence won't invoke 25th Amendment against Trump

Photo: Erin Schaff - Pool/Getty Images

Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday that he will not invoke the 25th Amendment t0 remove President Trump from office because it would "set a terrible precedent."

Why it matters: Although Pence's announcement was expected, it paves the way for House Democrats to move forward with impeachment legislation.

Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on abortion pill rule

Capitol Police stand guard at the Supreme Court Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Photo:y Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The Supreme Court granted a Trump administration appeal on Tuesday and reinstated a federal requirement obligating women seeking an abortion pill to obtain the drug from a hospital or medical center in person.

Why it matters: It's the court's first ruling on abortion since the arrival of the conservative Trump-appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett.