The Independent Mail reports that Clemson University's student senators voted 40-18 Monday in favor of impeaching vice president Jaren Stewart. Stewart was out of town in Washington, D.C. at the time, and not present when Miller Hoffman, a student senator, introduced the articles of impeachment.

This was the Senate's second attempt at an impeachment trial.  The trial for Stewart will be set for a later date. If successful, Stewart will be removed from office.

"I cannot stress enough how the situation has absolutely nothing to do with the flag protests or contain any racial motivation at all," Hoffman said. "Such a narrative is without evidence and completely untrue."

The Clemson Tiger reports that Hoffman said his motion was made because of misconduct allegations against Stewart, dating from his time as a resident assistant in a dormitory.

Stewart and other students sat through the Pledge of Allegiance at a Sept. 25 student government meeting – a protest that was continued at Monday’s meeting by others. In September, Stewart said students sat through the pledge in solidarity with NFL players protesting police brutality and racial oppression.

Some senators objected to the re-vote because Stewart was absent, as were the student body president and attorney general. They argued Stewart should be able to question the impeachment accusations before the vote.

While this is not said to be racially motivated or due to Stewart's choice not to stand during the pledge, this seems like a very convenient time to bring up the motion. We will have to see how this one plays out, but why is the Senate so pressed to impeach? Very interesting.

Clemson Universitystudent senate