Local legislators vote to impeach Trump
Rep. Garamendi’s statement on impeachment of President Trump
WASHINGTON >> On Wednesday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) issued the statement below as he voted to impeach President Trump for inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The article of impeachment passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 232-197.
“I rise today with great sadness and anger over the events that transpired on January 6, and with a steadfast determination to ensure those who incited and committed the unconscionable acts on that day are brought to justice.
“Last week’s violent insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, which has left at least six people dead and dozens injured, was a stain on our nation. The President’s blatantly false claims about election fraud, which were parroted by current administration officials and Members of the House and Senate, finally reached a tipping point last week when these bald-faced lies gave way to a violent assault on our Capitol. Even after 64 failed attempts in federal court to substantiate the baseless claims about election fraud, the President, his administration, and members of Congress continued to double down and use these mistruths to incite a mob that staged a bloody insurrection against the United States Government. They beat and murdered police officers, planted pipe bombs, brandished weapons, and left our nation shocked and in mourning.
“Without a proper check and proportional response to these events, we will be doomed to re-live the same hell over and over again. In time, we will lose our democracy, our hallowed institutions, and irreparably tear at the very fabric of our nation. As elected leaders of this nation, we have a right, but more importantly, a moral obligation to respond to those who incited this riot in the strongest possible terms.
“Just as this Congress returned mere hours after this insurrection to certify the lawful results of the 2020 Presidential election, we stand here today prepared to take firm, decisive, and necessary action to restore our country from the heinous state it spiraled into on Jan. 6 2021.
“The President’s violent rhetoric and actions pose a significant threat to our nation. No President who invites thousands of his most devoted supporters to Washington and urges them to ‘fight’ his political enemies by committing a seditious attack on our Capitol should be allowed to remain in office. Our nation has endured and persevered through so much, and it will survive this President. But if we do not act and hold him accountable, then we will leave our nation vulnerable to a future demagogue. That brings us here on this somber day to carry out our sacred oath to defend and protect the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic.
“Today, I voted to impeach President Donald Trump,” Garamendi said.
Thompson votes to impeach the President
On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) voted for the Article of Impeachment charging the President with inciting a violent attack on the Capitol to subvert our democracy and overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential election. As statement from Thompson is below.
“Our institution of representative democracy is a beacon of hope for millions of people around the world and has been for nearly 250 years. Last week, the President changed that when he sent domestic terrorists to tear that beacon down. He put the lives of every person in the Capitol at risk, from those in the line of succession, to Members of Congress, to the employees and staff, to the Capitol Police officers. He incited a mob that wanted to hang the Vice President, kill the Speaker and take hostages. This is the most unconscionable thing I’ve ever seen.
“This attack, incited by the President, was an attempt to disrupt the Constitutional process to certify the vote of the Electoral College. Make no mistake, it was an attempt to overturn our Presidential election and decimate democracy. This seditious act must have consequences. That’s why today I voted for the Article of Impeachment charging the President with inciting this grave attack. He must be held accountable. The Senate must swiftly convict and remove him from office.”