The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the "sole power of impeachment."
This week, pursuant to that power, the House impeached President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Now the Senate must hold a fair impeachment trial for the President. 1/
This week, pursuant to that power, the House impeached President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Now the Senate must hold a fair impeachment trial for the President. 1/
The Constitution does not mandate many aspects of such a trial, but does require that Senators "shall be on oath or affirmation" when sitting for an impeachment trial.
Senate rules historically specify an oath to "do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws."
Senate rules historically specify an oath to "do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws."
That oath was used in 1798, when many of those who helped draft the Constitution were still serving in government.
The Constitution's provisions and their historical interpretation clearly point to the desire for a fair impeachment trial.
That is what House Democrats want. 3/
The Constitution's provisions and their historical interpretation clearly point to the desire for a fair impeachment trial.
That is what House Democrats want. 3/
We want a fair trial with the presentation of evidence and testimony of fact witnesses.
These are things which the President himself said he wants: a fair trial and the testimony of the key fact witnesses who observed his actions related to Ukraine's aid and meeting requests. 4/
These are things which the President himself said he wants: a fair trial and the testimony of the key fact witnesses who observed his actions related to Ukraine's aid and meeting requests. 4/
So it's unacceptable when the Senate Majority Leader, who is in charge of overseeing this process to create what should be a fair trial, spends all of his time closely coordinating the strategy with the impeached President and then announces there won't be witnesses. 5/
His coordination raises questions for the American people about whether they can possibly see a fair trial. A cover-up or corrupt trial where the fix is in will be bad for everyone.
The Senate Majority Leader is jeopardizing any chance of a fair trial. 6/
The Senate Majority Leader is jeopardizing any chance of a fair trial. 6/
The Senate Majority Leader's refusal to provide a fair trial would look terrible for the President. If he is convinced there is no case or that the President is innocent, why would he deny a fair trial? Why is he dictating the verdict before it begins? 7/
If Senate Republicans wanted a fair trial, we wouldn't see the Senate Judiciary Chairman promising to do everything he can to end a trial quickly and admitting that he is not trying to pretend to be a fair juror?
The American people deserve to see a fair impeachment trial. 8/
The American people deserve to see a fair impeachment trial. 8/
McConnell's top deputy, John Cornyn, admitted he didn't even follow the House investigation. Now he says the Senate shouldn't hear from witnesses - so he's effectively refusing to look at the case against the President at all.
The American people deserve to see a fair trial. 9/
The American people deserve to see a fair trial. 9/
Senator Ted Cruz called for a "fair proceeding" "that respects due process and allows both sides to present their case."
Now he says that only the President's preferred witnesses, who are not fact witnesses, should be called.
The American people deserve to see a fair trial. 10/
Now he says that only the President's preferred witnesses, who are not fact witnesses, should be called.
The American people deserve to see a fair trial. 10/
Senator Rand Paul previously said he'd oppose impeachment trial rules if they limited witnesses.
Fact witnesses and a presentation of evidence are essential to a fair trial. The American people deserve to see a fair impeachment trial. 11/
Fact witnesses and a presentation of evidence are essential to a fair trial. The American people deserve to see a fair impeachment trial. 11/
House Democrats allowed the testimony of every fact witness the Republicans requested.
Now Republican Senators see the President preventing witnesses from testifying, and they are trying to help him.
The American people deserve to see a fair trial. 12/
Now Republican Senators see the President preventing witnesses from testifying, and they are trying to help him.
The American people deserve to see a fair trial. 12/
If the President is innocent, let him allow the testimony of these key fact witnesses. If Senators would do their duty and honor their oaths, let them hold a fair trial and weigh evidence impartially as Senate rules require.
The American people deserve to see a fair trial. 13/13
The American people deserve to see a fair trial. 13/13
