Today, I voted to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time. This was not an action I took lightly, but an action I was compelled to take in order to uphold my oath as a Member of Congress. President Trump is a threat to our nation and in full public view violated his duties to the Constitution, to our democracy, and to the American people.
For months, the president and his enablers lied about the election, whipping up misplaced anger among his followers. He then encouraged his followers to come to Washington for a “wild” rally to support overthrowing the election results. At the rally, the president continued to incite his followers, further encouraging their anger. Then he pointed down Constitution Avenue and told his followers to march to the U.S. Capitol and unleash their anger on Congress. They did, and five people died.
Make no mistake, the president set the stage, invited the audience, and lit the match that sparked the deadly insurrection at the Capitol. Just as disturbing was his lack of response while Congress Members were begging for him to help, while Capitol Police were being beaten and killed, and while his followers hunted through the Capitol seeking to do harm to Members of Congress and even his own Vice President. President Trump has abrogated the responsibilities of his office and violated his oath to the Constitution.
Every day he remains in office is another chance for him to foment further violence. He must be removed now. The House has now done its duty to protect our nation from the president by impeaching him. Now the Senate must act quickly to convict the president and remove him from office.
Congressman Alan Lowenthal represents the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Avalon, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Cypress, Westminster, Garden Grove, Buena Park, Anaheim, Midway City and Stanton in California’s 47th Congressional District. He can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, or his website.