NANCY Pelosi has described the US president as a ‘clear and present danger’ as the House of Representatives discussed impeaching Donald Trump for a second time.

She said members know Mr Trump incited the violent mob that stormed the Capitol while votes were being counted in the election he lost and that ‘he must go’.

He is charged with inciting last week’s mob invasion on the seat of US democracy that left five dead and forced lawmakers to hide for their own safety.

The House earlier approved a rule setting up the contours of the impeachment debate with the vote 221-203 in favour.

Most Republicans objected to bringing up the impeachment article for debate.

They argued it would be better to establish a commission to study why rioters were able to take over the Capitol and to create a commission to investigate the 2020 election.

The article of impeachment is expected to pass and head to the Republican-controlled Senate for a trial or dismissal.

Opening the debate House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “We know that we experienced the insurrection that violated the sanctity of the people’s Capitol and attempted to overturn the duly recorded will of the American people.

“And we know the president of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common country.

“He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love.”

She quoted former President Abraham Lincoln, Saint Paul from the Bible and the late President John F. Kennedy in arguing that lawmakers bear a responsibility to remove Trump’s threat to the country.

Pelosi said Trump lied repeatedly about the outcome of the election and sought to influence state officials “to repeal reality.”

She said: “Then came that day of fire we all experienced.”

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, addressed the issue of why Democrats are moving to do so with only days left in his presidency.

“Is there little time left? Yes,” Hoyer said. “But it is never too late to do the right thing.”

Republican Jason Smith said the move will only further divide the nation.

He said: “President Trump will be leaving in seven days.

“Let’s try to heal this nation.”