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Congressman Sherman Votes to Impeach Donald Trump

December 18, 2019

Statement by Congressman Sherman on today's historic vote to Impeach the 45th President of the United States

In July 2017, I introduced Articles of Impeachment, based on obstruction of justice and clear violations of Section 1512 (B3) of our criminal code, particularly obstruction of the investigation of the now convicted former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

When the then Republican majority refused to address those articles, I was not surprised.

I understand that today we focused on more recent high crimes and misdemeanors rather than those of the first six months of this administration. A prosecutor normally does not charge every crime but limits the indictment to those violations that are most recent and most simple to prove.

So, why the talk of impeachment then, when action by the House was unlikely? Why do we impeach now, knowing how unlikely it is that the Senate will seriously consider these, our actions?

First, because it is our constitutional duty, no matter what the political consequences. Second, it is our most effective tool to chasten and restrain a chief who does not naturally feel constrained by the rule of law. I would note that the President's attempt to extort the government of the Ukraine was secretive, indirect, and fearful.

We can only imagine what brazen high crimes and misdemeanors this president would have committed had he felt himself immune from impeachment. Today, I followed my constitutional duty and voted to impeach Donald Trump.