Forty-five years ago today, as President Nixon was on the brink of resignation, a freshman congresswoman from Texas delivered one of the most resounding speeches in the history of U.S. politics. Barbara Jordan, an African American member of the House Judiciary Committee, was tasked with determining the fate of a president under heavy scrutiny for obstructing justice amid the Watergate investigation. 

“A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution,” Jordan argued, quoting James Madison. She said that if Nixon’s sins against the republic did not warrant impeachment, “then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder.”

Today, as we celebrate the courage of Congresswoman Jordan, we are reminded that the American republic faces even more dire circumstances than it did in 1974. 

The Mueller report identifies ten potential obstruction of justice charges against President Trump. These are the same grounds that ultimately drove Nixon to resignation, just two weeks after Jordan’s powerful speech to Congress. 

We’ve heard from Mueller. Congress must begin an impeachment inquiry against President Trump immediately. Will you call, email, or meet in person with your representative to urge them to support an impeachment inquiry? 

• • Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or 202-224-3091 (TTY) to be connected to your representative’s office.
  • Find your representative’s email in their contact information on the House of Representatives website.
  • You can look up your next Town Hall meeting and access materials to organize one by visiting the Town Hall Project. 

We’ve come a long way since we launched our campaign in 2017 with over 1 million people joining our call to defend the Constitution. Ninety-five members of Congress now support our call for impeachment proceedings against this lawless president. But we need your help to keep pushing our representatives to stand up and do the right thing.