Arizona professors call for President Trump’s removal after Capitol riots
Jan 7, 2021, 6:00 PM
PHOENIX – At least 10 political science professors from Arizona universities have signed a letter urging the U.S. Congress and Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office.
The letter urges the government to take action following Trump’s actions that led to protesters storming the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday as lawmakers attempted to certify the results of the presidential election for President-elect Joe Biden.
“The President’s actions show he is unwilling or unable to fulfill his oath to protect and defend the Constitution,” the letter read. “He should be removed from office immediately before further violence takes place or further damage is done to our democracy.”
The document explains that as political scientists, their profession is “to understand politics, not engage with it” but the professors signing on to the letter “share a commitment to democratic values.”
Members of Congress like Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have also called on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment.
Here is a list of the professors who have signed the letter as of Thursday afternoon:
- Lori Poloni-Staudinger, Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean at Northern Arizona University
- Marija Bekafigo, Senior Lecturer at Northern Arizona University
- Heather Smith-Cannoy, Associate Professor at Arizona State University
- Cameron Thies, Professor of Political Science at Arizona State University
- Scott Barclay, Professor at Arizona State University
- Audrey Comstock, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Arizona State University
- Brian J. Gerber, Associate Professor at Arizona State University
- Paul G. Lewis, Associate Professor at Arizona State University
- Irasema Coronado, Director and Professor, School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University