Our Members of Congress swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution from threats foreign and domestic. We applaud the 140 Members of Congress who abided by this oath and voted yesterday to advance articles of impeachment introduced by Congressman Al Green of Texas. They understand, unlike many of their colleagues, that an oath loses its meaning when heeded capriciously or at the whims of personal or political convenience. 

Every Member of Congress (see the full roll call here) who voted yesterday to table Representative Green’s articles of impeachment – or who voted “present” on tabling the resolution, in the case of 47 Democratic House Members – has gravely betrayed their responsibilities enshrined in the Constitution and the duties entrusted to them by We the People. 

House Democratic leaders Jeffries, Clark and Aguilar’s statement reveals a clear preference for partisan political jockeying over the imperatives of their oath of office. While willing to go so far as to admit Donald Trump’s conduct is “out-of-control,” and endangering the “health, safety, and economic well-being,” of the American people, they hide behind the claim that impeachment would “[require] a comprehensive investigative process, the collection and review of thousands of documents, an exacting scrutiny of the facts, the examination of dozens of key witnesses, Congressional hearings,” etc. 

That claim is a pretense. It does not require the “collection of thousands of documents” or the “examination of dozens of witnesses” in order to determine that a president who threatens, in writing, to execute members of Congress must be impeached and removed from public office. By voting present rather than no on the motion to table, these three House Democratic leaders have failed in their sworn duty to protect and defend the Constitution at this critical hour for our nation. 

This vote stands in direct opposition to the will of the American people. As announced earlier this year, more than one million people nationwide have signed petitions urging Congress to impeach and remove Trump from office. Polling shows the majority of Americans agree. Everyday Americans understand what House leadership has chosen to ignore: impeachment is not a partisan act. It’s a Constitutional duty. 

The Framers were clear. Through Section Four of Article II, the Impeachment Clause, they equipped Members of Congress with the explicit authority to hold a rogue president to account if that president should prove a tyrannical threat to separation of powers, to the Constitutionally protected freedom of speech and assembly, or other pillars that uphold our republic.

The moment the Framers warned us about has arrived. There is no legitimate excuse for delay.  Congress must immediately impeach and remove Trump. 

Read our detailed case for impeachment and take action at ImpeachTrumpAgain.org.