Washington (December 19, 2019) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump.

“The impeachment of a U.S. President by the House of Representatives, for only the third time in our nation’s long history, is a sad and solemn occasion. But let’s be clear: Donald Trump, by his words and deeds, brought this impeachment entirely upon himself. And the President’s allies and enablers, instead of addressing the overwhelming evidence that the President abused his power and then sought to cover it up and obstruct Congress’s investigation into it, have engaged in a campaign of denial, distraction, deflection, and demagoguery. This impeachment of President Trump was not only justified and warranted, it was necessary to uphold our Constitution and the system of checks and balances enshrined in it, and to protect our upcoming election, and future elections, from foreign interference.

“I stand ready to fulfill my constitutional role as a juror in the trial of Donald Trump in the Senate. Last week, Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would take his cues on the trial from the President’s lawyers. That is wrong. He should be taking his cues from the Constitution. Senator McConnell must negotiate in good faith with Senate Democrats on the rules for a full and fair trial, at which Senators can hear and consider all relevant evidence before making the momentous decision whether to remove Donald Trump from office.”

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