Betsy DeVos has resigned from her position as United States Secretary of Education. DeVos cited President Donald Trump's handling of the Capitol Hill riots on January 6 as a driving force behind her decision.
"We should be highlighting and celebrating your Administration's many accomplishments on behalf of the American people. Instead, we are left to clean up the mess caused by violent protesters overrunning the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to undermine the people's business," DeVos said.
DeVos is the second member of Trump's cabinet to resign following the Capitol Hill riots. Previously, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao stepped down from her role within the Trump administration. Much like DeVos, Chao was disappointed in Trump's handling of Wednesday's riots.
“Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the President stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed,” Chao said.
“As I’m sure is the case with many of you, it has deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside."
Members of Congress have viewed DeVos and Chao's resignations as a way to avoid responsibility. Notably, Rep. Jim Clyburn openly criticized the two and accused them of avoiding discussions regarding removing Donald Trump from office.
“For two Cabinet members to resign, that says to me they are running away from their responsibility. If they feel that strongly, they would stay there and wait on this meeting so they can cast two of the votes that are necessary to invoke the 25th Amendment,” Clyburn said.
“They are running away.”
Despite calls for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, it appears unlikely that the President will be removed from office. For the process to begin, members of the Trump administration would have to call for it to be invoked. Thus far, those who have wished to distance themselves from the Trump administration have resigned instead. The second most powerful person within the administration, Vice President Mike Pence, reportedly has no desire to invoke the 25th Amendment.
With two weeks left in his term, it appears that President Donald Trump will finish out his full four-year term.
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