Washington (February 13, 2021) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement after voting to convict Donald Trump on one article of impeachment.

“Donald Trump wanted the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to succeed." said Senator Markey. "He invited, he incited, he delighted. He committed the highest crimes and misdemeanors. Not only did Donald Trump fail to uphold his oath, he took steps intended to violate it. Donald Trump engaged in an active, willful, intentional attack on our Constitution and our democracy.

“We all saw and heard the evidence during this trial. The video, the audio, the tweets, the statements, and the affidavits. The House Managers presented undeniable facts that established that Donald Trump is guilty of inciting a violent mob that attacked our government and meant to harm Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and all members of Congress.

“There is no First Amendment defense to what Donald Trump did. Senate Republicans hid behind a bogus argument about the Constitution, but it was Donald Trump who tore the Constitution to threads. Today’s vote once again shows our hurdles to progress: Republican political calculations and their dereliction of duty to truth and justice.

“If Republicans want to work with Democrats on a comprehensive, robust COVID-19 package that meets the scale of the crises that our country faces, we welcome their partnership. But today’s vote does nothing to reassure that Republicans are willing to work together to transcend party politics.”

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