U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) yesterday explained why she voted to impeach President Donald Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges, while U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) declared she will vote to remove Trump from office when the matter becomes before the Senate.
The House impeachment vote went nearly totally along partisan lines with Democrats lining up for the impeachment and Republicans lining up against it.
“Today is a historic and somber time for America. It is a necessary day of reckoning and a test of our resilience and ability to uphold our democracy. Today I voted to impeach Donald J. Trump based on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, presented by the House Judiciary committee. This impeachment was necessary. Our nation’s national security is on the line, compromised by Donald Trump. I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my colleagues on the right side of history in doing our duty to hold Donald J. Trump accountable for his law-breaking, unconstitutional actions,” said Clarke.
“From the onset of his assuming the Presidency, I’ve believed that a number of the activities that Donald J. Trump has engaged in were impeachable offenses. When our Commander-In-Chief goes against his sacred oath of office and brazenly and repeatedly violates upholding the Constitution, this is a betrayal of his oath of office to the American people.
“Donald Trump is morally reprehensible and voters will address his actions in the upcoming election. He has unabashedly and brazenly broken the law right in front of the American people. His current behavior and actions are dangerous, with severe implications for the upcoming 2020 election–his actions mirroring that of the corrupted 2016 election, where he brazenly welcomed foreign interference. With his self-dealing tendencies, Donald Trump has proven to be an existential threat to our national security and his conduct, if left unchecked, will leave us vulnerable to future election interference, and, ultimately usher in the demise of our democratic republic. But today the House of Representatives pushed back on Donald J. Trump and I hope the Senate will follow suit and put our country above party and convict him for his lawless, reckless, self-dealing and unconstitutional actions.”
Gillibrand said as a senator, she swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution and to faithfully discharge the duties of her office, and this includes holding the president accountable for bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors.
“Now that the House has formally charged President Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of justice, the Senate will do its constitutional duty to try the president for these alleged crimes. I will enter the proceedings with one purpose: to find the truth and deliver justice. It is incumbent on all of us—Democrat or Republican—to cast aside partisanship, consider the evidence marshaled by the House, and make an impartial judgement on whether to acquit or convict the president,” said Gillibrand.
“The facts laid out by the House are disturbing. According to an admission by his own chief of staff, President Trump withheld military aid to an ally, currently engaged in warfare with Russia, in an effort to extract political favors for personal gain. Although President Trump has done everything in his power to stonewall the House’s investigation, numerous nonpartisan military and career professionals have provided testimony relating this alleged abuse of power.
“History will remember those who stood up for our values, our country and the rule of law, as well as those who enabled the degradation of our democracy. I intend to be in the former,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Bill de Blasio lauded the House vote:
“Donald Trump has time and time again put his personal interests above the needs of our country, sacrificing the integrity of our democracy, putting us at risk and damaging our relationships abroad. With today’s vote, the United States House of Representatives is performing their constitutional duty to ensure that no one, not even the President of the United States, is above the law. I especially want to thank Congressman Jerrold Nadler and other leaders from New York’s congressional delegation who have been unrelenting in seeking the truth and ensuring that justice prevails. Today is a solemn day in the history of the United States, but we can be proud that our democracy has prevailed,” said De Blasio.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said the gravity of the impeachment is matched only by its clear necessity.“This President, who has abused his privilege, his office, and his people since he first took office, is now finally facing Constitutional consequence for one of his egregious acts. He deserved it, and his conduct demanded it. There has perhaps never been a more clear, public case for action – I thank those in the House of Representatives who voted to impeach, and the activists across the country who brought us to this point of accountability,” said Williams.
“While it is widely believed that the Republican Senate will not ultimately vote to remove the President, that does not mean a potential acquittal is right, nor does it mean that we can allow tolerance of the President’s conduct as normal or the Republican Senate’s cowardice as an acceptable inevitability. The world and history are watching as partisan thought allows legislators to put the politics of incumbency protection over the realities of Donald Trump’s tyrannical conduct.
“I implore Senators to do what is just, to hold a full trial and render justice through removal. I’m not holding my breath, but along with people across our city and nation, I will work to hold them accountable,” William added.
