WA politicians respond to Trump’s acquittal, conduct
WASHINGTON D.C. – Responding to impeachment charges against President Donald Trump and Wednesday’s acquittal on both counts, both United States senators from Washington, as well as the congressman representing the Columbia Basin, have issued statements or press releases.
Sen. Patty Murray issued the following statement to her website:
“I’ve said many times throughout this trial that each senator’s decision to choose fairness or a cover-up, and country or party, is theirs alone to make and live with—and that this isn’t just about this president, it’s about every future president,” Murray wrote.
“I am now on the record, representing millions of people in my home state of Washington, in saying it is unacceptable for a president, now or ever, to ask a foreign country to interfere in our election for their own benefit,” Murray added. “I want every American to know my strong feeling is that we, the people, elect our presidents, they owe their office to the American people, and Americans must be their priority. I am grateful to every senator who stood up for this fundamental American principle today.”
Sen. Maria Cantwell did not issue a press release after Wednesday’s vote, but did speak from the Senate floor Monday. Her comments have been edited for space:
“Claiming corruption seems a good tool these days to wound anybody, to wound institutions, the free press, legitimate government oversight, but most seriously, it wounds our democracy by sowing doubt into free and fair elections,” Cantwell said. “Once voters believe the election results are corrupt, it’s hard to have faith in them, and it’s hard to make tough decisions that we need to make as a society to move forward.”
“As FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub said, ‘Let me make something 100 percent clear to the American public and anyone running for elected office: it is illegal for any person to solicit, accept or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election. This is not a novel concept.’” Cantwell added. “So why has President Trump continued to sow distrust in our elections? He thought it was OK to ask the Russians to interfere in 2016, and he seems to be inviting Ukrainian interference in 2020.”
Rep. Dan Newhouse, who voted in December against sending articles of impeachment to the Senate, issued a brief statement shortly after Trump was acquitted:
“The vote to acquit President Trump today comes as no surprise,” Newhouse said. “House Democrats failed to present a compelling case or convince the American people of an impeachable offense. Now that this partisan impeachment process is behind us, we can get back to work, focus on the priorities of our constituents and our country, and hopefully begin to heal this political divide.”