In case you are curious this is what one of my senators responded with, when I wrote them. Reading between the lines no the GOP rank and file are going to cover Trump's *ss rather than do their constitutional duty under the laws regarding impeachment. Reasons: that he is no longer president and b) we senators shouldn't decide who the people get to vote for or not. FFS
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the impeachment of former President Donald J. Trump.
As you may know, on January 13, 2021, the House voted 232-197 to impeach then-President Trump. The article alleges then-President Trump was responsible for the assault on the Capitol Building that interrupted the joint session of Congress to count the Electoral College votes. On January 25, 2021, the House impeachment managers delivered the article of impeachment to the Senate. On January 26, 2021, the members of the Senate were sworn-in as jurors, and we swore an oath to “do impartial justice to the Constitution and laws.”
Even though Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared that removing then-President Trump from office was an urgent matter, even giving then-Vice President Mike Pence an ultimatum to invoke the 25th Amendment, she curiously chose not to transmit the articles to the Senate until then-President Trump had already left office.
The Senate is scheduled to begin the impeachment trial on February 9, 2021. During the impeachment trial, the House impeachment managers and former President Trump’s counsel will present their respective cases. Senators will then have the opportunity to question the House impeachment managers and former President Trump’s counsel.
On January 6, 2021, we faced one of the darkest days of our history as a violent mob attempted to stop Congress’ joint session to certify the Electoral College votes. The criminals who participated in the attack assaulted the very foundations of our constitutional republic. They overran the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), laid waste to the Capitol building, threatened the lives of lawmakers, and left six people dead in their wake. Sadly, this included a USCP officer who was murdered during the assault, and another who tragically took his own life in the days after. Over 50 USCP officers were injured during this vicious attack. Despite failures by some, many brave USCP officers protected lawmakers and prevented even further violence.
Once this insurrection was put down by our brave men and women in uniform, Congress resumed counting of the Electoral College votes into the early hours of the morning. My colleagues and I were determined to not allow the assault on the Capitol and our democratic system to prevent Congress from fulfilling its constitutional duty. Following the violent attack, I was glad to fulfill my constitutional obligation as a U.S. Senator to certify the results of the Electoral College. I voted against all objections, or in other words, I voted to certify the electoral votes from all states that were subject to objections. The Framers of our Constitution made it clear that the power to certify elections is reserved to the states, not Congress.
We are learning more details about the extent of this attack with every passing day, and everyone who participated in this disgusting assault on our democracy should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Currently, over 150 individuals have been charged in federal court for their actions on the Capitol attack. The Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation continue the investigation into the attacks and are also looking into the speakers who attended the rally.
When it comes to the current impeachment process, I believe we must balance accountability with avoiding setting precedents that could be abused in the future. I believe impeaching a former President who is now a private citizen is unwise, especially if the primary goal is to disqualify an individual citizen from running for public office.
For example, my Democratic colleagues would have rightfully objected if Republicans – when they controlled both houses of Congress – used the impeachment power to justify disqualifying former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from running for president in 2016. The great hallmark of our democratic republic is self-government, and I have faith in the American people to assess the qualifications of presidential candidates and make an informed decision themselves, just as they have done every four years since George Washington was elected as our first president. I do not believe Congress should dictate to the American people who they can and cannot vote for.
With that said, as a U.S. Senator, I have a constitutional responsibility to participate fully in the Senate impeachment trial as a juror. I will listen to both sides, consider the evidence, and join my colleagues in rendering a verdict. Any federal official who is subject to the impeachment process deserves fairness and due process. Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind moving forward.
Again, thank you again for taking the time to contact me. Please do not hesitate to contact me again about other important issues.