Impeachment trial of Donald Trump - Day 12
Special | 1h 26m 46s | Video has closed captioning.
Watch the final vote in the Trump impeachment trial.
Aired: 02/05/20
>>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M JUDY.
WHEN SENATORS CAST THEIR VOTE IN A FEW MOMENTS THEY CAN CONVICT OR ACQUIT PRESIDENT TRUMP ON TWO SEPARATE ARTICLES.
ONE ON ABUSE OF POWER AND THE OTHER ON OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.
THE OUTCOME OF ACQUITTAL ON BOTH ARTICLES APPEARED MORE LIKELY AFTER THEY DECIDED THIS FRIDAY NOT TO CALL ADDITIONAL WITNESSES IN THE TRIAL.
I'M JOINED BY LISA DESJARDINS.
OUR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT YAMICHE.
>> I'M ALSO JOINED BY JOHN.
HE RUNNING PUCK LICK AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATION FIRM.
WELCOME BACK TO BOTH OF YOU.
WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SENATE FLOOR AND WAITING FOR THE SENATE TO GO INTO FORMAL SESSION IF YOU WILL HEARING THE FINAL STATEMENT FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER AND THE MINORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER.
THEY APPEAR TO BE ABOUT READY TO DO THAT.
WE CAN SEE CHUCK IN THE FOREGROUND.
LET'S LISTEN TO THIS RIGHT NOW.
>> DEMOCRATIC LEADER, THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BEFORE US CHARGE PRESIDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP WITH OFFENSES AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION AND AMERICAN PEOPLE.
THE FIRST ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT CHARGES THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY BY SOLICITING UKRAINE TO INTERVENE BY INVESTIGATING.
HE ASKED THEM TO DO US A FAVOR AND INVESTIGATE HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD A WHITE HOUSE MEETING AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MILITARY ASSISTANCE FROM AN ALLY AT WAR WITH RUSSIA.
THERE IS EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION PROVING THE QUID PRO QUO AND THE CORRUPT MOTIVE BEHIND IT.
THE FACTS ARE NOT SERIOUSLY IN DISPUTE.
SEVERAL REPUBLICAN SENATORS ADMITTED THEY BELIEVED THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED THE OFFENSE WITH VARYING DEGREES OF INAPPROPRIATE, WRONG, SHAMEFUL, ALMOST ALL REPUBLICANS WILL ARGUE, HOWEVER, THIS REP PREHENCIVE CONDUCT DOESN'T ARISE TO THE OFFENSE.
WILLIAM, A DELICATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION DEEMED THIS ESSENTIAL SECURITY.
LET THE PRESIDENT SPARE NO EFFORTS TO GET HIMSELF RE-ELECTED.
JAMES MADISON OFFERED A SPECIFIC LIST OF IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES DURING THE DEBATE.
HE MIGHT LOSE HIS CAPACITY OR PUBLIC FUNDS.
A DESPICABLE SOUL MIGHT COME TO BRIBES WHILE IN OFFICE.
MADISON ARRIVED AT WHAT HE BELIEVES THE WORSE CONDUCT THE PRESIDENT COULD ENGAGE IN.
HE COULD DETRAY HIS TRUST TO FOREIGN POWER.
WHEN I STUDIED THE CONSTITUTION AND FEDERALIST PAPERS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
FOREIGN INFLUENCE IS THE MOST BANEFUL FOE.
IT SEEMED SO FARFETCHED.
WHO WOULD DEAR.
THE FORESIGHT AND WISDOM OF THE FOUNDERS ENDURES.
MADISON WAS RIGHT.
WASHINGTON WAS RIGHT.
THERE IS NO GREATER SUBVERSION OF OUR DEMOCRACY THEN FOR POWERS OUTSIDE OF OUR BORDERS TO DETERMINE ELECTIONS WITHIN THEM.
IF AMERICANS BELIEVE THEY DON'T TERM THEIR SENATOR, GOVERNOR, OR PRESIDENT OR SOME FOREIGN POWER DOES THEN THAT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF DEMOCRACY.
FOR A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO ATTEMPT SUCH A THING ON IT'S OWN IS CONTEMPTIBLE.
FOR AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT TO SOLICITED SUCH A THING TO ASK A FOREIGN COUNTY TO HELP HIM WIN AN ELECTION IS UNFORGIVABLE.
DOES THIS RISE TO THE LEVEL OF IMPEACHMENT?
OF COURSE IT DOES.
THE TERM HIGH CRIMES COMES FROM ENGLISH LAW.
CRIMES WERE COMMITTED AGAINST SUBJECT.
THEY DIDN'T DESIGN A MONARCHY.
THEY DESIGNED A DEMOCRACY, A NATION WHERE THE PEOPLE WERE KING.
HIGH CRIMES ARE THOSE COMMITTED AGAINST THE ENTIRE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE PRESIDENT SOUGHT TO COMMITTEE THE PEOPLE OUT OF A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION.
HOW COULD AN OFFENSE NOT BE DEEMED A HIGH CRIME.
A CRIME AGAINST THE PEOPLE.
ONE CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLAR DURING THE JUDICIARY HEARING TESTIFY.
IF THIS IS NOT IMPEACHABLE, NOTHING IS.
I AGREE.
I JUDGE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GUILTY OF THE FIRST ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT IS EQUALLY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
ONCE HE REALIZED HE GOT CAUGHT HE TRIED TO COVER IT UP.
HE CATEGORICALLY DEFIED SUBPOENAS.
HE ALSO WITHHELD RELEVANT DOCUMENTS.
EVEN PRESIDENT NIXON THE AUTHOR OF THE BIGGEST COVER UP TESTIFIED IN CONGRESS IN THE WATER GATE INVESTIGATION.
THE IDEA THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS PROPERLY INVOKING THE RIGHTS OF THE PRESIDENCY IS NONSENSE.
AT EACH STAGE OF THE HOUSE INQUIRY THEY CONGRESS IF WE ARED CAME UT BAD FAITH.
THERE IS NO CIRCUMSTANCE UNDER WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD HAVE COMPLIED.
WHEN I ASK THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL, TWICE TO NAME ONE DOCUMENT OR ONE WITNESS THE PRESIDENT PROVIDED TO CONGRESS THAT COULDN'T ANSWER.
IT CANNOT BE THAT THE PRESIDENT LEAD BY LEGAL SHAMELESSNESS CAN ESCAPE SCRUTINY ENTIRELY.
ONCE AGAIN, THE FACTS ARE NOT IN DISPUTE.
SOME SOUGHT TO PETARY IS SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT AS SOMEHOW LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE FIST, IT IS NOT.
THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT IS NECESSARY IF CONGRESS IS TO EVER HOLD A PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE AGAIN DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF SANCTIONING SUCH CATEGORIAL OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS IS FAR REACHING AND THEY WILL BE IRREPARABLE.
I, JUDGE SAID THE PRESIDENT IS GUILTY OF THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.
SHE SHOULD BE CONVICTED AND REMOVED FROM THE PRESIDENCY AND DISQUALIFY HIM FROM HOLDING FUTURE OFFICE.
IT'S SO OBVIOUS HERE AGAIN SEVERAL REPUBLICAN SENATORS ADMIT THE HOUSE HAS PROVED IT'S CASE.
INSTEAD OF MAINTAINING THE PRESIDENT'S INNOCENCE THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ULTIMATELY TOLD THE SENATE THAT EVEN IF THE PRESIDENT DID WHAT HE WAS ACCUSED OF IT'S NOT IMPEACHABLE.
THIS HAS TAKEN THE FORM OF AN ESCALADING SERIES OF ARGUMENTS INCLUDING, QUOTE, ABUSE OF POWER IS NOT AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.
QUOTE, THE PRESIDENT CAN'T BE IMPEACHED FOR NONCRIMINAL CONDUCT BUT CAN'T BE INDICTED FOR CRIMINAL CONDUCT.
QUOTE, IF A PRESIDENT BELIEVES HIS OWN REELECTION IS ESSENTIAL WITH THE NATION THAN A QUID PRO QUO IS NOT CORRUPT.
THESE ARE THE EXCUSES OF A CHILD CAUGHT IN A LIE.
EACH EXPLANATION WERE OUTLANDISH AND DESPERATE THAN THE LAST.
IT WOULD BE LAUGHABLE IF NOT FOR THE FACT THAT THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF THE ARGUMENTS WOULD NOT JUST RENDER THIS PRESIDENT BUT ALL PRESIDENT'S IMMUNE FROM IMPEACHMENT.
SEVERAL MEMBERS SAID IF THE PRESIDENT IS GUILTY, AND IF EVEN IT'S IMPEACHABLE THE SENATE SHOULDN'T CONVICT THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP.
AS IF IT FRAMERS FORGOT ABOUT ELECTIONS WHEN THAT THEY WROTE THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE.
IF THE FOUNDERS BELIEVE WHEN AN PRESIDENT IS GUILTY OF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE CLAUSE IN THE CONSTITUTION.
THAT MUCH IS OBVIOUS.
ALONE, EACH OF THE DEFENSES ADVANCED BY THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL COMES CLOSE TO BEING CRAZY.
THEY ARE AS DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC AS THIS PRESIDENT.
A FIG LEAF SO LARGE TO EXCUSE ANY PRESIDENTIAL MISCONDUCT.
UNABLE TO DEFEND THE PRESIDENT, ARGUMENTS WERE FOUND TO MAKE HIM A KING.
FUTURE GENERATIONS KNOW A FRACTION OF THE SENATE FOLLOWED THE FANTASIES.
THE REST OF US CONDEMNED TO THE ASH HEAP OF HISTORY AND DEREGION OF LAW STUDENTS EVERYWHERE.
THE TASK WE WERE GIVEN WASN'T EASY.
THE FRAMERS GAVE THE SENATE THIS RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT IMAGE ANY OTHER BODY CAPABLE OF IT.
THEY CONSIDERED OTHERS BUT THEY EJ0)USTED US TO US AND THE SENATE FAILED.
THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS TRAINED IT'S OUTRAGE NOT ON THE CONDUCT OF THE PRESIDENT BUT THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS IN THE HOUSE DERIVING FALSELY AN ALLEGED LACK OF FAIRNESS AND THOROUGHNESS.
THE OUTRAGE WAS SO BLINDING THAT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY ENDED UP GUILTY OF THE VERY SINS IT FALSELY ACCUSED THE HOUSE OF COMMITTING.
THEY CONDUCTED THE LEAST FAIR, LEAST THOROUGH IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY.
A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF SENATORS.
THEY EXAMINED EVIDENCE AND COULD TRY THE IMPEACHMENT TO THE PRESIDENT.
THIS IS THE FIRST IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN HISTORY THAT HEARD FROM NO WITNESSES.
A SIMPLE MA JARTY MAJOF SENATORS.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE PARTY PERPETRATED A GREAT MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE IN THE TRIAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.
AS A RESULT THE VERDICT OF THE KANGAROO COURT IS POINTLESS.
THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY PLACED A GIANT ASTERISK.
THE ASTERISK OF A SHAME TRIAL NEXT TO THE ACQUITTAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP WRITTEN IN PERMANENT THINGS.
ACQUITTAL IN AN UNFAIR TRIAL.
IT'S WORTH NOTHING AT ALL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP OR ANYBODY ELSE.
NO DOUBT THE PRESIDENT WILL RECEIVE TOTAL EXONERATION.
WE NO BETTER.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW IT TOO.
WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE FRAMERS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS ABOUT THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE THEY FORGERY AND IT CONDUCT THEY MOST FEARED IN OUR CHIEF MAGISTRATE.
THERE IS SOMETHING THE FOUNDERS CONSIDERED THAT'S MORE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE PUBLIC.
TRUTH.
THE FOUNDERS HAVE SEEN AND STUDIES SOCIETIES GOVERN THE BY THE EARN FIRST OF TYRANTS.
NONE BY ARGUMENT RATIONAL THINKING FACTS, DEBATE.
HAMILTON SAID THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL DETERMINE QUOTE WHETHER SOCIETIES ARE REALLY CAPABLE OF ESTABLISHING GOOD GOVERNMENT FROM REFLECTION AND CHOSE OR FOREVER DESTIN DEPEND ON ACCIDENT AND FORCE.
WHAT AN ASTONISHING THING THE FOUNDERS DID.
THEY PLACED A BET WITH LONG ODDS.
THEY BELIEVED REFLECTION AND CHOSE WOULD MAKE US CAPABLE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.
WE WOULDN'T AGREE ON EVERYTHING BUT AT LEAST WE COULD AGREE ON A COMMON BASELINE OF FACT AND TRUTH.
THEY WROTE A CONSTITUTION WITH THE REMARKABLE IDEA THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON OF THE COUNTRY WASN'T ABOVE THE LAW AND COULD BE PUT-ON TRIAL.
A TRIAL, A PLACE WHERE YOU SEEK TRUTH.
THE FAITH OUR FOUNDERS PLACE IN US MAKES THE FAILURE MORE DAMMING.
OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON THE IDEA OF TRUST BUT THERE WAS NO TRUTH HERE.
THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY COULDN'T LET TRUTH INTO THE TRIAL.
THEY REFUSED TO GET THE EVIDENCE BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID OF WHAT IT MIGHT SHOW.
OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON THE IDEA OF TRUTH BUT IN ORDER TO GO ALONG WITH THIS PRESIDENT YOU HAVE TO IGNORE THE TRUTH.
THE REPUBLICANS WALKED AROUND WITH HIS HEAD DOWN.
THEY DIDN'T SEE HIS TWEET.
THEY HOPED HE LEARNED HIS LESSON.
YES, MAYBE THIS TIME THEY LEARNED HIS LESSON.
OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON TRUTH.
TO EXCUSE THE PRESIDENT YOU HAVE TO IGNORE THE TRUTH AND INDULGE IN THE PRESIDENT'S COME CONSPIRACY THEORIES.
THOUSANDS VOTED ILLEGALLY.
OBAMA DID IT TOO.
DEMOCRATS ARE JUST AS BAD.
OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON THE IDEA OF TRUST.
THIS PRESIDENT IS SUCH A MENACE.
SO DISON -- DISHONORABLE AND DISHONEST YOU MUST SACRIFICE THE TRUTH TO MAINTAIN HIS FAVOR.
THE TRIAL OF THE PRESIDENT IS FAILURE.
THIS REFLECTS ESSENTIAL CHALLENGE ON THE PRESIDENCY AND MAYBE THE CENTRAL CHALLENGE OF THIS TIME IN OUR DEMOCRACY.
YOU CANNOT BE ON THE SIDE OF THE PRESIDENT AND BE ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH.
IF WE ARE TO SURVIVE WITH THE NATION WE MUST CHOSE TRUTH.
IF THE TRUTH DOES BE THE MATTER IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE NEWS AND IT'S FAKE, IF CHEATING IS ACCEPTABLE, IF EVERYONE IS THE WICKED THEN THE HOPE OF THE FUTURE IS LOST.
THE EYES OF THE NATION ARE UPON THE SENATE.
WHAT THEY SEE WILL STRIKE DOUBT IN THE HEART OF EVEN THE MOST HARDEN PATRIOTS.
THE HOUSE MANAGERS ESTABLISHED THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS POWER AND THE SENATE MAJORITY IS POISED TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY.
SO, I DIRECT MY FINAL MASSAGE, NOT TO THE HOUSE MANAGERS.
NOT EVEN TO MY FELLOW SENATORS BUT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
MY MASSAGE IS SIMPLE, DON'T LOSE HOPE.
THERE IS JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD AND TRUTH AND RIGHT I BELIEVE THAT AND WOULDN'T BE HERE IF I DIDN'T.
SOMEHOW IN WAYS WE CAN'T PREDICT WITH GOD'S HAND GUIDING US TRUTH AND RIGHT WILL PROVAIL.
THERE -- PREVAIL.
THERE ARE DARK PERIODS IN OUR HISTORY AND WE ALWAYS OVERCOME.
JUSTICE ROLLED DOWN LIKE WATER.
RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE AN EVER FLOWING STREAM.
THE LONG LOOK AT THE MORAL UNIVERSE DOES BEND TOWARDS JUSTICE.
AMERICA DOES CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
NOT ON IT'S OWN.
IT TOOK MILLIONS3OF AMERICANS HUNDREDS OF YEARS TO MAKE THE COUNTRY WHAT IT IS TODAY.
AMERICANS OF EVERY AGE, COLOR, AND CREED THAT MARCHED AND PROTESTED.
AMERICANS THAT DEFENDED THIS DEMOCRACY, THIS BEAUTIFUL DEMOCRACY IN THE DARKEST HOURS.
ON MEMORIAL DAY IN 18 4 OLIVER TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT QUOTE WHERE THE ONE EXCEPTS FROM SPADE AND LOOK DOWNWARD AND DIG AND FROM ASPIRATION AND CORD AND SCALE THE ICE THE ONE AND ONLY SUCCESS WHICH IS YOURS TO COMMAND IS TO BRING TO YOUR WORK A MIGHTY HEART.
I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT AMERICANS OF A DIFFERENT GENERATION, OUR GENERATION, WILL BRING TO OUR WORK A MIGHTY HEART TO FIGHT FOR WHAT'S RIGHT, TO FIGHT FOR THE TRUTH.
AND NEVER LOSE FAITH.
I YIELD THE FLOOR.
>> WE JUST HEARD FROM THE MINORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER.
WE ARE ABOUT TO HEAR FROM CHUCK SCHUMER.
>> MAJORITY LEADER.
THE UNITED STATES SENATE WAS MADE FOR MOMENTS LIKE THIS.
NAY THANK YOU THE COUNTRY WOULD NEED SOME -- OUR REPUBLICAN.
THEY CREATED THE SENATE.
GET OF NECESSARY JAMES MADISON WROTE OF SOME STABLE INSTITUTION IN THE GOVERNMENT.
OF SOME STABLE INSTITUTION IN THE GOVERNMENT.
TODAY WE'LL FULFILL THIS FOUNDING PURPOSE.
WE WILL REJECT THIS CASE THAT COMES NOWHERE NEAR JUSTIFYING THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL REMOVAL IN HISTORY.
THIS PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT WILL END TODAY.
I FEAR THE THREAT TO OUR INSTITUTION MAY NOT BECAUSE THIS EPISODE IS ONE OF A SYMPTOM OF SOMETHING MUCH DEEPER.
IN THE LAST THREE YEARS THE OPPOSITION OF THE PRESIDENT HAS COME TO REINVOLVE AROUND A TRULY DANGEROUS CONCEPT.
IF OUR INSTITUTION DON'T PRODUCE THE OUTCOMES THEY LIKE OUR INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES MUST BE BROKEN.
ONE SIDE DECIDED DEFEAT MEANS THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN.
WE LITERALLY TEAR OF THE RULES AND WRITE NEW ONES.
NORMALLY WHEN A PARTY LOSES AN ELECTION IT EXCEPTS DEFEAT.
NOT THIS TIME.
WITHIN MONTHS SECTARY CLINTON WAS SUGGESTING HER DEFEAT WAS INVALID.
SHE CALLED OUR PRESIDENT ILLEGITIMATE.
A FORMER PRESIDENT CLAIMED THAT HE DIDN'T WIN AND LOST THE ELECTION THE FORMER PRESIDENT SAID.
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE USED SIMILAR RHETORIC.
THIS IS WEAKENING CONFIDENCE IN OUR DEMOCRAT.
THE REAL ISSUE OF FOREIGN ELECTION INTERFERENCE WAS TO FUEL CONSPIRACY THEORIST.
THREE YEARS PROMINENT VOICES SAID THERE WUSS A SECRET CONSPIRACY BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT'S CAMPAIGN AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENT.
WHEN THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION AND SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE DEBUNKED THAT THE ENDEAVOR DIDN'T STOP.
REMEMBER WHAT THE CHAIRMAN SAID ON THE FLOOR.
HE SUGGESTED IF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REELECT PRESIDENT TRUMP IN NOVEMBER THAT WILL BE PRESUMPTIVELY INVALID AS WELL.
THEY SAY IF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REELECT PRESIDENT TRUMP THIS NOVEMBER THAT ELECTION WILL BE INVALID AS WELL THEY STILL DON'T EXCEPT THE AMERICAN VOLTERS LAST DECISION AND PREPARING TO REJECT THEIR NEXT DECISION IF THEY DON'T LIKE THE OUTCOME.
HEADS WE WIN AND TAILS YOU CHEATED.
WHO CAN TRUST OUR DEMOCRACY ANY WAY THEY SAY.
THIS KIND OF TALK CREATES MORE FEAR AND DIVISION THEN OUR FOREIGN ADD HAVE A VE.
AS SHE NOTED IF AMERICANS BECOME CONSUMED BY PARTISAN RANKER WE CAN DO THAT WORK FOR THEM.
THEY WERE DEFENDING NORMS AND TRADITION.
IN REALTY, IT WAS AN ASSAULT ON BOTH.
FIRST THEY ATTACKED THEIR OWN PRESIDENT AND USED THE IMPEACHMENT POWER AS A POLITICAL WEAPON AS FIRST RESORT THERE ARE ARTICLES ATTACHED.
THEN THEY CALLED US TREACHEROUS.
NOW, AND NOW, FOR THE FINAL ACT THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IS TRYING TO STEAL THE SENATES SOLE POWER TO RENDER A VERDICT.
SHE SAID SHE WILL REFUSE TO EXCEPT THE ACQUITTAL.
THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SAID SHE WILL REFUSE TO EXCEPT THE ACQUITTAL.
WHATEVER THAT MEANS.
PERHAPS SHE WILL TEAR UP THE VERDICT LIKE THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.
I ASK MY COLLEAGUES IS THIS WHERE YOU REALLY WANT TO GO.
THE PRESIDENT ISN'T THE PRESIDENT.
AN ACQUITTAL ISN'T AN ACQUITTAL.
ATTACK INSTITUTIONS UNTIL THEY GET THEIR WAY.
EVEN MY COLLEAGUES THAT DON'T AGREE MUST SEE THE INSANITY OF THE LOGIC.
IT'S LIKE SAYING YOU ARE SO WORRIED ABOUT A BULL IN A CHINA SHOP.
THIS IS THE MOST TROUBLING PART, THE MOST TROUBLING PART.
THERE IS NO SIGN THIS WILL END HERE.
IN RESENT MONTHS DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND SENATE LEADERS HAVE FILIBUSTERED SO THE SENATE COULD IMPROVE RADICAL CHANGES WITH LESS PERSUASION.
THERE WAS A PREVIOUS THREATENING POLITICAL RETRIBUTIONS IF THE JUSTICES DIDN'T DECIDE THE CASE THEY WANTED.
WE HAVE SEEN THEM TURN THIS INTO A PARTISAN BODY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.
ALL OF THESE THINGS, MR. PRESIDENT, ALL OF THESE THINGS.
A TOXIC TEMPTATION TO STOP DEBATING POLICY WITHIN OUR GREAT AMERICAN GOVERNING TRADITIONS AND INSTEAD DECLARE A WAR ON TRADITIONS THEMSELVES.
A WAR ON THE TRADITIONS THEMSELVES.
SO COLLEAGUES WHATEVER POLICY DIFFERENCES YOU MIGHT HAVE WE SHOULD ALL AGREE THIS IS THE KIND OF RECKLESSNESS THE SENATE WAS CREATED TO STOP.
THE RESPONSE TO LOSING ONE ELECTION CANNOT BE TO ATTACK THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY.
THE ARE RESPONSE TO LOSING SEVERAL ELECTIONS SHOULDN'T BE TO THREATEN THE ELECTRONNAL COLLEGE.
LOSING A COURT CASE SHOULDN'T MEAN THREATENING THE JUDICIARY.
WE SIMPLY CANNOT HAVE FUNCTIONAL FEVER BREAK OUR INSTITUTION.
IT MUST WORK THE OTHER WAY AS MADISON AND HAMILTON INTENDED.
THE INSTITUTIONS MUST BREAK THE FEVER.
THIS IS RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
THEY BUILT THE SENATE TO KEEP TEMPORARY RAGE FROM DOING PERMANENT DAMAGE TO OUR REPUBLICAN.
THE FRAMERS BUILT THE SENATE TO KEEP TEMPORARY RAGE FROM DOING PERMANENT DAMAGE TO OUR REPUBLICAN.
THAT, MR. PRESIDENT, IS WHAT WE WILL DO WHEN WE END THIS PRESIDENT BREAKING IMPEACHMENT.
I HOPE WE WILL LOOK BACK ON THIS VOTE AND SAY THIS WAS THE DAY THE FEVER BEGAN TO BREAK.
I WEAPON WE WON'T SAY THIS WAS JUST THE BEGINNING.
>> THE SENATE WILL GO TO RECESS AND CALL THE CHAIR.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION THE SENATE STANDS IN RECESS IN SUBJECT OF CALLING THE CHAIR.
>> WITH THAT MITCH McCONNELL, AS YOU JUST HEARD ASK THAT THE SENATE REMAIN -- GO INTO RECESS AFTER WE HEARD THESE CONCLUDING STATEMENTS BY THE MINORITY LEADER FIRST, SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER OF NEW YORK.
FOLLOWED JUST NOW BY THE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL OF KENTUCKY.
BOTH OF THEM MAKING EMPHATIC STATEMENTS.
FIRST SCHUMER SAID THEY MUST VOTE TO CONVICT.
HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE VOTES DON'T APPEAR TO BE THERE.
FROM AN OPPOSITE PROSPECTIVE SENATOR McCONNELL SAYING THE SENATE MUST FULFILL IT'S DUTY AND ACQUIT THE PRESIDENT AS YOU HEARD HIM SAY.
I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK BACK AND SEE THAT THE FEVER BROKE.
LISA DESJARDINS IS STANDING BY AT THE CAPITOL.
LISA, WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DAY TO COME.
IN THE LAST HOUR OR SO WE LEARNED ABOUT A FEW VOTES WE WERE WAITING FOR.
TWO DEMOCRATS THAT MIGHT CROSS PARTY LINES BUT BOTH OF THEM VOTED NO.
>> THAT'S CORRECT KRISTINE CINEMA AND JOE MANSION BOTH SAID THEY WOULD VOTE TO CONVICT THE PRESIDENT.
THEY BELIEVE HE SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE BASED ON WHAT THEY HEARD.
THAT'S PARTICULARLY AN EXCLAMATION POINT FOR JOE MANSION.
THEY VOTED 42 POINTS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.
ONE OF THE MOST PRO TRUMP STATES.
MANSION IS NOT UP FOR REELECTION THIS YEAR.
EARLY ERA DEMOCRAT WHO IS UP FOR REELECTION DOUG JONES VOTED TO CONVICT.
IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH FROM DOUG JONES WHO FACES A TOUGH ELECTION AND MANY THOUGHT WOULD SPLIT THE TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.
WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE EVIDENCE IN PARTICULAR THE KEY EVIDENCE WAS THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.
HIS WORDS THAT THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES HE WAS GIVEN ARTICLE TWO POWERS BY THE CONSTITUTION THAT ALLOWED HIM TO DO WHAT HE WANTED.
THAT WAS DOUG JONES' INTERPRETATION.
WE HEARD THEY BELIEVED THE PRESIDENT IN HIS OWN MIND BELIEVES HE IS ABOVE THE LAW AND THAT'S WHY THEY ARE VOTING TO CONVICT.
MITT ROMNEY, IT LOOKS LIKE ROMNEY OF UTAH WILL BE THE ON SENATOR TO SWITCH HIS VOTE.
ALL OF THE SENATORS I JUST MENTIONED ARE TAKING POLITICALLY RISKY MOVES WITH THE VOTE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
WE WERE LISTENING TO SENATOR ROMNEY OVER AN HOUR AGO MAKING HIS STATEMENT ON THE FLOOR AND GOING ON AT LENGTH.
HE KNOWS HE WILL RECEIVE A LOT OF CRITICISM FROM PEOPLE IN HIS OWN PARTY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH HIM.
HE FELT HE NEEDED TO FULFILL HIS OUST AND DO IT AT ONE POINT.
I WOULD LIKE MY CHILDREN TO KNOW I FULFILL MY DUTY TO THE COUNTRY.
YAMICHE IS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
THEY ARE WATCHING THIS VERY CLOSELY.
WITH THE CONFIDENCE GOING IN WHERE THEY WON'T REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT THE PRESIDENT AND WHITE HOUSE ARE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY.
THIS IS A DAY THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR A LONG TIME.
THIS PRESIDENT HAS WEATHERED ALL SORTS OF SCANDAL.
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAVING TO DEAL WITH A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT AND INVESTIGATING A POLITICAL RIVAL.
THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS SO MUCH.
>> YOU SHOULD KEEP SILENCE WHILE THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES IS SITTING FOR THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
AS A REMILDER TO EVERYONE IN THE CHAMBER AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE GALLERIES DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL ARE PROHIBITED.
>> THE MAJORITY LEADER IS RECOGNIZED.
>> THE SENATE IS NOW READY TO VOTE ON THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND AFTER THAT IS DONE WE'LL ADJOURN THE COURT OF IMPEACHMENT.
>> THEY WILL NOW READ THE FIRST ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.
>> NUMBER ONE IS ABUSE OF POWER.
REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD HAVE THE SOUL SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT AND THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE ON IMPEACHMENT FOUR AND CONVICTION OF TREASON AND BRIBERY.
TO EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND IN VIOLATION OF HIS CONTUSION OF DUTY TO TAKE CARE AND THE LAWS BE EXECUTED.
DONALD J. TRUMP ABUSED THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY.
USING THE POWER OF OFFICE PRESIDENT TRUMP SOLICITED THE INTERFARANCE OF A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, UKRAINE, IN THE 2020 UNITED STATES ELECTION.
HE DID SO THROUGH A SCHEME OR COURSE OF CONDUCT TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE ELECTIONS THAT WOULD BENEFIT HIS ELECTION AND INFLUENCE THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO HIS ADVANTAGE.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT TO PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE TO TAKE THESE STEPS BY COMMITTING ACTS OF SIGNIFICANT VALUE.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ENTREPRENEUR GAUGED IN THE SCHEME OR COURSE OF CONDUCT FOR CORRUPT PURPOSES AND PER SUIT OF PERSONAL BENEFIT.
IN DOING SO HE USED THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY IN A MANNER THAT COME MEASURIZED NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
HE IGNORED THE INTEREST OF THE NATION.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ENGAGED IN THIS SCHEME OR COURSE OF CONDUCT THROUGH THE DOLLOWING MEANS.
ONE, PRESIDENT TRUMP ACTING BOTH DIRECTLY AND THROUGH HIS AGENTS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
SOLICITED THE GOVERNOR - GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
HE ALLEGED THAT UKRAINE, RATHER THAN REELECTION IN THE 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
WITH THE SAME CORRUPT MOTIVE ACTED THROUGH HIS AGENTS WOULD SEE THE OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
CONDITIONED TWO OFFICIAL ACTS THAT HERE REQUESTED.
THE RELEASE OF $391 MILLION OF UNITED STATES TAXPAYER FUNDS THAT CONGRESS APPROPRIATED ON A BIPARTISAN BASES ON PROVIDING MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO OPPOSE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION AND PRESIDENT TRUMP ORDERED SUSPENDED AND B AHEAD OF STATE MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE WHICH THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE SOUGHT TO DEMONSTRATE.
THREE, FACED WITH THE PUBLIC REVELATION OF HIS ACTIONS PRESIDENT TRUMP ULTIMATELY RELEASED THE MILITARY AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE AND PERSISTED IN OPENLY AND CORRUPTING URGING UKRAINE TO UNDERTAKE INVESTIGATIONS FOR HIS PERSONAL AND POLITICAL BENEFIT.
THESE ACTIONS WERE CONSISTENT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PREVIOUS INVITATION OF FOREIGN INTERFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES ELECTION.
IN ALL OF THIS, THEY ABUSED THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT SIMI IGNORING NATIONAL SECURITY AND OTHER NATIONAL INTEREST TO OBTAIN IMPROPER AND PERSONAL BENEFIT.
THEY ENLISTED A FOREIGN POWER IN CORRUPTING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL REMAIN A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND CONSTITUTION IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE OFFICE AND ACTED IN A MANOR WITHSELF WIH SELF-GOVERNANCE.
HE WILL HOLD ANY OFFICE OF TRUST OR TIME IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> EACH SENATOR, WHEN HIS OR HER NAME IS CALLED WILL STAND-IN HIS OR HER PLACE AND VOTE GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY AS REQUIRED BY RULE 23 OF THE SENATE RULES OF IMPEACHMENT.
ARTICLE ONE SECTION THREE CLAUSE SIX OF THE CONSTITUTION REGARDING THE VOTE FOR CONVICTION ON IMPEACHMENT SAID NO PERSON CAN BE CONVICTED WITHOUT THE CONCUR ANSWER - CONCURRENCE OF TWO-THIRDS.
SENATORS HOW SAY YOU?
IS THE RESPONDENT DONALD J. TRUMP GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.
THE CLERK WILL-CALL THE ROLE.
>> MR. ALEXANDER.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. BALDWIN.
GUILTY.
MR. BLUMENTHAL GUILTY.
>> MR. BLUNT.
MR. BLUNT UNTIL THE.
MR. BOOKER.
MR. BOOKER GUILTY.
>> MR. BOOZMAN, UNTIL THE.
MR. BROWN.
MR. BROWN GOINGS.
MR. BURR.
MR. BURR GUILTY.
MEDICAL CENTER CAPITO UNTIL THE.
MR. CARPER GUILTY.
MR. MR. CASEY GUILTY.
MR. COTTON, NOT GUILTY.
>> MR. CRAMER.
MR. CRAMER, NOT GUILTY.
MR. CRUZ.
MR. CRUZE, NOT GUILTY.
MRS. DUCKWORTH.
GUILTY.
>> MR. ENZI NOT GUILTY.
MR. ERNST.
NOT GUILTY.
[VOTING] HON.
>> RONO, GUILTY.
MR. HOEVEN.
MR. HOEVEN, NOT GUILTY.
MRS. HYDE-SMITH.
MRS. HYDE-SMITH, NOT GUILTY.
MR. INHOFE.
MR. INHOFE, NOT GUILTY.
MR. JOHNSON.
MR. JOHNSON, NOT GUILTY.
MR. JONES.
MR. JONES, GUILTY.
MR. KAINE.
MR. KAINEGUILTY.
MR. KENNEDY.
MR. KENNEDY, NOT GUILTY.
MR. KING.
MR. KING, GUILTY.
MISS KLOBUCHAR.
MISS KLOBUCHAR, GUILTY.
MR. LANGFORD.
MR. LANGFORD, NOT GUILTY.
MR. LEAHY.
MR. LEAHY, GUILTY.
MR. LEE.
MR. LEE, NOT GUILTY.
MRS. LOEFFLER.
MRS. LOEFFLER, NOT GUILTY.
MR. MANCHIN.
MR. MANCHIN, GUILTY.
MR. MARKEY.
MR. MARKEY GUILTY.
MR. McCONNELL.
MR. McCONNELL, NOT GUILTY.
MISS McSALLY.
MISS McSALLY, NOT GUILTY.
MR. MENENDEZ.
MR. MENENDEZ GUILTY.
MR. MERKLEY.
MR. MERKLEY, GUILTY.
MR. MORAN.
MR. MORAN, NOT GUILTY.
MISS MURKOWSKI.
MISS MURKOWSKI, NOT GUILTY.
MR. MURPHY.
MR. MURPHY, GUILTY.
MRS. MURRAY.
MRS. MURRAY, GUILTY.
MR. PAUL.
MR. PAUL, NOT GUILTY.
MR. PERDUE.
MR. PERDUE, NOT GUILTY.
MR. PETERS.
MR. PETERS, GUILTY.
MR. PORMAN.
MR. PORTMAN, NOT GUILTY.
MR. REID.
MR. REED GUILTY.
MR.ERISH, NOT GUILTY.
MR. ROBERTS.
MR. ROBERTS, NOT GUILTY.
MR. ROMNEY.
MR. ROMNEY, GUILTY.
MISS ROSEN.
MISS ROSEN, GUILTY.
MR. ROUNDS.
MR. ROUNDS, MILT.
MR. RUBIO.
MR. RUBIO, NOT GUILTY.
MR. SANDERS.
MR. SANDERS, GUILTY.
MR. SASSE.
MR. SASSE, NOT GUILTY.
MR. SCHATZ.
MR. SCHATZ, GUILTY.
MR.
SURELY.
MR.
SURELY, GUILTY.
MR. SCOTT OF FLORIDA.
MR. SCOTT OF FLORIDA, NOT GUILTY.
MR. SCOTT OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
MR. SCOTT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, NOT GUILTY.
MRS. SHAHEEN.
MRS. SHAHEEN, GUILTY.
MR. SHELBY.
MR. SHELBY, NOT GUILTY.
MISS SINEMA.
MISS SINEMA, GUILTY.
MISS SMITH.
MISS SMITH, GUILTY.
MISS STABENOW.
MISS STABENOW, GUILTY.
MR. SULLIVAN.
MR. SULLIVAN, NOT GUILTY.
MR. TESTER.
MR. TESTER, GUILTY.
MR. THUNE.
MR. THUNE, NOT GUILTY.
MR. TILLIS.
MR. TILLIS, NOT GUILTY.
MR. TOOMEY.
MR. TOOMEY, NOT GUILTY.
MR. UDALL.
MR. UDALL, GUILTY.
MR. VAN HOLLEN.
MR. VAN HOLLEN, GUILTY.
MR. WARNER.
MR. WARNER, GUILTY.
MISS WARREN.
MISS WARREN, GUILTY.
MR. W WHITEHOUSE.
MR. WHITEHOUSE, GUILTY.
MR. WICKER.
MR. WICKER, NOT GUILTY.
MR. WYDEN.
MR. WYDEN, GUILTY.
MR. YOUNG.
MR. YOUNG, NOT GUILTY.
GUILTY.
>> THIS ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT 48 SENATORS CHARGED THE PRESIDENT GUILTY AS CHARGED.
52 SENATORS HAVE ANNOUNCED HIM NOT GUILTY AS CHARGED.
TWO-THIRDS NOT HAVING PRONOUNCED HIM GUILTY THE RESPONDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
IS NOT GUILTY AS CHARGED OF IMPEACHMENT.
THE CLERK WILL READ THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.
>> ARTICLE TWO OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.
THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD HAVE THE SOUL ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT ON IMPEACHMENT FOUR AN CONSYRINGES OF TREASON, ROBBERY, OR OTHER HIGH CRIMES.
IN THE CONDUCT OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL OATH TO EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND IN VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO TAKE CARE THAT THE LAWS BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED.
DONALD J. TRUMP DIRECT THE THE UNPRECEDENTED CATEGORICAL DEFENSANCE OF SUBPOENAS ISSUED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE PURSUANT TO THE SOUL POWER OF IMPEACHMENT.
THIS WAS DONE IN A MANOR OFFENSIVE TO THE CONSTITUTION IN THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS ENGAGED IN AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY BASED ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CORRUPT SOLICITATION TO INTERFERE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.
AS PART OF THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY THE COMMITTEES UNDERTAKING THE INVESTIGATION SEVERED SUBPOENAS, SEEKING DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONY FROM VARIOUS EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES AND OFFICES AND CURRENT AND FUMARIA OFFICIALS.
WITHOUT CAUSE OR EXCUSE HE DIRECTED EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES, OFFICE, AND OFFICIALS NOT TO COMPLY WITH THE SUBPOENA.
HE SUPER BOWED TO POWERS AGAINST THE LAWFUL HOUSE OF ENTREPRENEUR SENTTIVES AND FUNCTIONS AND JUDGEMENTS NECESSARY TO THE EXERCISE OF THE SOUL POWER OF IMPEACHMENT VESTED BY THE CONSTITUTION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED THE POWERS OF HIS HIGH OFFICE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING MEANS.
ONE DIRECTING THE WHITE HOUSE TO DEGUY DEFY A LAWFUL SUBPOENA.
TWO DIRECTING OTHER EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES TO DEFY LAWFUL SUBPOENA AND HOLD PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS FROM THE COMMITTEES.
THE FUNCTION OF STATE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REFUSED TO PRODUCE A SINGLE DOCUMENT.
THREE FORMER AND CURRENT EXECUTIVE OFFICIALS IN RESPONSE TO WHICH NINE ADMINISTRATIONS DEFIED.
SUBPOENAS FOR TESTIMONY.
MULVANEY, BLARE, MICHAEL ELLEN, KRISTINE GIFFIN, MICHAEL DUFFY, BRYAN McCORMICK, THESE ACTIONS WERE CONSIST ABOUT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PREVIOUS EFFORTS TO UNDERMINED THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS INTO FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE UNITED STATES ELECTIONS.
THROUGH THE ACTIONS HE GAVE HIMSELF THE RIGHT -- ALSO TO DENY ANY AND ALL INFORMATION TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE EXERCISE OF IT'S SOUL POWER OF IMPEACHMENT.
IN THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICAN NO PRESIDENT ORDERED THE COMPLETE DEFIANCE OF AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY OR TO IMPEDE COMPREHENSIVELY THE ABILITY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO INVESTIGATE HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.
THIS WAS TO COVER UP THE PRESIDENT'S OVER MISCONDUCT AND NULLIFY A CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARD VESTED SOLELY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
IN ALL OF THIS PRESIDENT TRUMP ACTED IN A MANOR CONTRARY TO THE TRUST OF GOVERNMENT TO THE GREAT PREJUDICE OF THE CAUSE OF LAW AND JUSTICE INTO THE MANIFEST INJURY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREFORE, PRESIDENT TRUMP BY SUCH CONDUCT HAS DEMONSTRATED HE WOULD REMAIN A THREAT TO THE CONSTITUTION IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN OFFICE AND ACTED IN A MANOR WITH SELF-GOVERNANCE AND RULE OF LAW.
THIS WARRANTS REMOVAL FROM OFFICE AND TO HOLD OR ENJOY ANY OFFICE UNDER THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE QUESTION ON THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.
SENATORS HOW SAY YOU.
THE CLERK WILL-CALL THE ROLL.
>> MR. ALEXANDER, NOT GUILTY.
MRS. BLACKBURN.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. BLUMENTHAL.
GUILTY.
MR. BLUNT.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. BOOKER.
GUILTY.
MR. BOOZMAN.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. BRAUN.
NOT GUILTY MR. BROWN.
GUILTY.
MR. BURR.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS CANTWELL.
GUILTY.
MRS. CAPITO.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. CARDIN.
GUILTY.
MR. CARPER.
GUILTY.
MR. CASEY.
GUILTY.
MR. CASSIDY.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS COLLINS.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. COONS.
GUILTY.
MR. CORNYN.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS CORTEZ MASTO.
GUILTY.
MR. COTTON.
NOT GUILTY MR. CRAMMER.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. CRAPO.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. CRUZ.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. DAINES.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS DUCKWORTH.
GUILTY.
MR. DURBIN.
GUILTY.
MR. ENZI.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS ERNST.
NOT GUILTY.
MRS. FEINSTEIN.
GUILTY.
MRS. FISHER.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. GARDNER.
NOT GUILTY.
MRS. GILLIBRAND.
GUILTY.
MR. GRAHAM.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. GRASSLEY.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS HARRIS.
GUILTY.
MISS HASSAN.
GUILTY.
MR. HAWLEY.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. HEINRICH.
GUILTY.
MISS HIRONO.
GUILTY.
MR. HOEVEN.
NOT GUILTY.
MRS. HYDE-SMITH.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. INHOFE.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. JOHNSON.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. JONES.
GUILTY.
MR. KAINE.
GUILTY.
MR. KENNEDY.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. KING.
GUILTY.
MISS KLOBUCHAR.
GUILTY.
MR. LANKFORD.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. LEAHY.
GUILTY.
MR. LEE.
GUILT.
MRS. LOEFFLER.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. MANCHIN.
GUILTY.
MR. MARKEY.
GUILTY.
MR. McCONNELL.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS McSALLY.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. MENENDEZ.
GUILTY.
MR. MERKLEY.
GUILTY.
MR. MORAN.
GUILT.
MISS MURKOWSKI.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. MURPHY.
GUILTY.
MRS. MURRAY.
GUILTY.
MR. PAUL.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. PERDUE.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. PETERS.
GUILTY.
MR. PORTMAN.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. REED.
GUILTY.
MR. RISCH.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. ROBERTS.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. ROMNEY.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS ROSEN.
GUILTY.
MR. ROUNDS.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. RUBIO.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. SANDERS.
GUILTY.
MR. SASS.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. SCHATZ.
GUILTY.
MR. SCHUMER.
GUILTY.
MR. SCOTT OF FLORIDA.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. SCOTT OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
NOT GUILTY.
MRS. SHAHEEN.
GUILTY.
MR. SHELBY.
NOT GUILTY.
MISS SINEMA.
GUILTY.
MISS SMITH.
GUILTY.
MISSISSIPPI STABENOW.
GUILTY.
MR. SULLIVAN.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. TESTER.
GUILTY.
MR. THUNE.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. TILLIS.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. TOOMEY.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. UDALL.
GUILTY.
MR. VAN HOLLEN.
GUILTY.
MR. WARNER.
GUILTY.
MISS WARREN.
GUILTY.
MR. WHITEHOUSE.
GUILTY.
MR. WICKER.
NOT GUILTY.
MR. WYDEN.
GUILTY.
MR. YOUNG.
NOT GUILTY.
>> ON THIS ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT 47 SENATES PRONOUNCED DONALD J. TRUMP GUILTY AS CHARGED.
53 VOTED NOT GUILTY.
THE SENATE OF JUDGES THAT RESPONDED DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS NOT GUILTY AS CHARGED IN THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.
>> THE RESIDING OFFICER ASKS FOR THE JUDGMENT TO BE PUT MOVED AS FOLLOW.
THE SENATE HAVING TRIED DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST TWO ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.
TWO-THIRDS OF THE SENATOR PRESENT NOT HAVING FOUND HIM GUILTY IT IS THERE FORE ORDERED AND JUDGED THAT HE BE AND IS HERE BY ACQUITTED OF THE OF THE ARTICLES IN SD CHARGES.
>> I I SENT AN ORDER TO THE DESK.
>> THE CLERK WILL REPORT.
ORDER THE SECTARY BE DIRECTED TO COMMUNICATE TO THE SECTARY OF STATE AS PROVIDED BY RULE 23 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE AND PRACTICE WHEN SITTING ON IMPEACHMENT TRIALS AND ALSO TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE JUDGMENT OF THE SENATE IN THE CASE OF DONALD JOHN TRUMP AND CERTIFY A COPY BE SENT TO EACH.
>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE, BEFORE THIS CONCLUDES I WOULD LIKE TO QUICKLY ACKNOWLEDGE A FEW PEOPLE THAT HELPED THE SENATE FULFILL OUR DUTY THESE PAST WEEKS.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME FOR THANKING CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS FOR PRESIDING WITH A CLEAR HEAD AND STEADY HAND.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> WE KNOW THIS CAME IN ADDITION TO HIS DAY JOB ACROSS THE STREET.
WE THANK THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND HIS STAFF TO HELP HIM PREFORM THIS UNIQUE ROLE.
LIKE HIS PREDECESSOR, WE WILL AWARD CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS THE GOLDEN GAVEL TO COMMEMORATE HIS TIME PRESIDING OVER HIS BOT DI.
WE AWARD THIS TO NEW SENATORS AFTER 100 HOURS IN THE CHAIR BUT THE CHIEF JUSTICE PUT IN HIS DUE AND THEN SOME.
>> WE WILL DELIVER THE GOOFILY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ERE ARE COUNT LESSEN NATE PROFESSIONALS THAT EFFORTS WERE ESSENTIAL.
I WILL HAVE MORE THANKS NEXT WEEK FROM ALL OF THOSE TEAMS.
TO THE SERGEANT AT ARMS AND BEYOND.
THERE ARE TWO MORE GROUPS I WOULD LIKE TO SINGLE OUT NOW.
FIRST THE TWO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF SENATE PAGES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TRIAL.
THEIR FOOTWORK AND COOL UNDER PRESSURE LITERALLY KEPT THE FLOOR RUNNING.
OUR CURRENT CLASS CAME ONBOARD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THIRD PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN AMERICAN HISTORY AND QUICKLY FOUND THEMSELVES HAND DELIVERING 180 QUESTION CARDS FROM THE SENATORS DESK.
NO PRESSURE, RIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> SECOND, THE FINE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE CAPITAL POLICE.
WE KNOW OUR SAFETY RESTS IN THEIR HANDS EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THE HEIGHTENED MEASURES SURROUNDING THE TRIAL MEANT MORE HOURS AND WORK AND VIGILENCE.
THANK YOU YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE BODY AND THE COUNTRY.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER.
>> I JOIN THE REPUBLICAN LEADER IN THANKING THE PERSONNEL THAT AIDED THE SENATE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS.
CAPITAL POLICE DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB DAY IN AND SOMEDAY OUT TO PROTECT THE MEMBERS OF THE STAFF AND EVERYONE THAT WORKS IN AND VISITS THE CAPITAL.
THEY WERE ASKED TO WORK EXTRA SHIPS IN GREATER NUMBERS OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS.
THANK YOU TO EVERY ONE OF THEM.
I ALSO THANK THOSE FOR THE WONDERFUL PAGES.
WE SEE YOU WALKING DOWN AND GIVING THE CHIEF JUSTICE OUR QUESTIONS AS IT LEADER NOTED THE NEW CLASS OF PAGES STARTED MIDWAY IN THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.
WHEN YOU TAKE A NEW JOB YOU ARE GIVEN A FEW DAYS TO TAKE STOCK OF THINGS AND GET UP TO SPEED.
THIS CLASS WAS GIVEN NO SUCH LEEWAY, THEY STEPPED RIGHT IN AND DIDN'T MISS A BEAT.
THEY FAIRED HUNDREDS OF QUESTIONS FROM THE CHIEF JUSTICE ON NATIONAL THEEL VISION.
THIS IS -- TELEVISION.
I EXTEND MY PERSONAL THANKS TO DAVID AT THE OFFICE OF ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES.
TYLER, THE SUPERVISOR, AND GRACE THE WONDERFUL DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL FACILITIES.
EVERYONE GRACES TEAMWORK SO HARD TO MAKE SURE WE WERE READY FOR IMPEACHMENT.
GARY RICHARDSON, KNOWN AS TINY, THE CHIEF CHAMBER ATTENDANT.
JIM WHO BUILT NEW CABINETS TO DEPRIVE US FROM THE USE OF OUR ELECTRONICS AND FLIP PHONES DURING THE TRIAL.
BRENDA BIRD AND HER TEAM DID A GREAT JOB KEEPING THE CAPITAL CLEAN AND WEBB AND HIS TEAM WILL MOVE THE FURNITURE AND MOVED IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN.
GRACE, WE APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK.
CONVEY OUR SINCEREST THANKS TO OUR STAFF.
WE HAVE MANY LONG DAYS AND LATE NIGHTS DURING THIS TRY O TRYING TIME IN NATIONS HISTORY.
>> THE CHAIR WISHES TO THANK THEM FOR SUPPORT IN AN UNFAMILIAR SETTING.
THEY ENSURED I HAD THE WISE COUNCIL OF THE SENATE ITSELF TO IT'S SECTARY AND STAFF.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE DEPUTY FOR THE UNFAILING PATIENTS.
LIKEWISE I'M GRATEFUL TO THE SERGEANT OF ARMS AND HIS STARCH AS THEY EXTENDED DURING MY PERIOD OF REQUIRED RESIDENCY.
THANK YOU YOU ALL FOR MAKING MY PRESENCE HERE.
AS I DEPART THE CHAMBER I DO SO WITH AN INVITE TO VISIT THE COURT BY LONG TRADITION AND MEMORY OF THE 135 YEARS WE SAT IN THIS BUILDING.
WE KEEP THE FRONT ROW OF THE GALLERY OPEN FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT MIGHT WANT TO DROP BY AND SEE AN ARGUMENT OR ESCAPE ONE.
I ALSO DEPART WITH SINCERE GOOD WISHES AS WE CARRY OUT OUR COMMON COMMITMENT THROUGH THE CONSTITUTION.
YOU HAVE BEEN GENEROUS HOSTS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN UNDER HAPPIER CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> I MOVE THE SENATE AT THE COURT OF IMPEACHMENT OF THE ARTICLE AGAINST DONALD JOHN TRUMP ADJOURN.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION IS AGREED TO.
>> THAT NOW IS THE END OF THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.
WE HEARD CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS SAY I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN IN HAPPIER CIRCUMSTANCES.
HE SUGGESTED THIS WASN'T THE EASIEST OR COMFORTABLE OF DAYS THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAS SPENT.
I'M JUDY WOODRUFF HERE WITH CONTINUING COVERAGE OF THE LIVE TRIAL THAT HAS GONE ON FOR SO MANY DAYS.
WE KNEW WE WOULD WRAP-UP TODAY.
THERE IS NO SURPRISE THE NUMBER REQUIRED FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE 67 ON EITHER COUNT.
ARTICLE ONE ON ABUSE OF POWER OR ARTICLE TWO OF OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS WOULDN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE THERE IS A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.
LISA DESJARDINS IS OUR CAPITOL HILL CORRESPONDENT.
THIS IS WHERE WE FIND HER RIGHT NOW.
LISA, NO ONE EXPECTS THERE TO BE 62 VOTES TO REMOVE.
WE KNEW THERE WERE A FEW VOTES WE WERE WAITING FOR.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ONE WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING IS MITT ROMNEY CHOOSING TO CROSS THE ISLE AND VOTING WITH DEMOCRATS TO CONVICT ON THE FIRST ARTICLE OF ABUSE OF POWER.
>> THIS IS THE MOST SOLEMN.
SENATORS LOOKED STRAIGHT AHEAD.
EVEN THOSE AMONG THE MORE CHATTY THAT HAVE TAKEN NOTES ARE SITTING UPRIGHT IN THEIR SEATS.
NEITHER LOOKED RIGHT OR LEFT.
WHEN ROMNEY STOOD UP AND SAID GUILTY THERE WAS NO EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE EXCEPT ONE OF GRAVITY.
HE STOOD, HE SAID GUILTY, SAT BACK DOWN AND DIDN'T WAIVER.
THIS SHOWS WHAT A PARTISAN VOTE IT WAS THIS CHAMBER IS AS DIVIDED NOW AS WHEN IT BEGAN.
>> I THINK JUST FROM ME HEARING THE MEMBERS SAY THE WORD GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY AS THEY TOOK THEIR TERM WAS AN UNUSUAL MOMENT.
THEY AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH A MOTION OR VOTE ON A PIECE OF LEGISLATION, THIS WAS DIFFERENT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
WHEN YOU HEARD THE GUILTY.
WHEN YOU HEAR A SENATOR CLAIM THAT THEY BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS GUILTY OF A CRIME AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE IT CHANGED THE NATURE OF THE CHAMBER.
THIS IS A FUNCTION FEW HAD TO CARRY OUT.
MITT ROMNEY, WHEN HE STOOD STOOD IN THE BACK ROW BECAUSE HE'S A JUNIOR MEMBER.
HE KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE NOMINATED FOR PRESIDENT AND SHOCKING HE SPLIT WITH HIS PARTY.
NOT NEARLY ENOUGH VOTES.
THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING AND DIDN'T EXPECT THE PRESIDENT TO BE FOUND GUILTY.
>> THEY WERE PLAYING CLOSE ATTENTION.
THEY HAVE THE ISSUE OF PRESSURING UKRAINE.
THEY NOW HAVE FAILED TRYING TO GET HIM REMOVED FROM OFFICE.
SOMETHING THAT THE PRESIDENT IS EAGER TO CELEBRATE.
SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE PRESIDENT AT SOME POINT JUST NOT SURE IF IT'S ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE HE LIKES TO TALK.
OR HAS WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
>> Woodruff: I KNOW YOU'LL BE LETTING US KNOW JUST AS SOON AS YOU FIND OUT WHAT THEY SAY.
COMING BACK TO OUR TABLE HERE IN THE STUDIO.
JOHN HART AND VICTORIA NOURSE, JOHN, YOU WERE THERE AT THE TIME OF THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT, COMPARE TODAY WITH THAT DAY.
>> WELL, IT WAS VERY SAD TIME.
I WAS ACTUALLY IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON GAVE A STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AFTER HE WAS IMPEACHED AND BEFORE HE WAS ACQUITTED.
THE FEELING THEN, WE WERE BECOMING SMALLER AS A COUNTRY NOT BIGGER.
THAT SAME FEELING, I WASN'T IN THE CHAMBER LAST NIGHT BUT A SENSE THAT WE'VE CROSSED INTO A REALM OF EXTREMELY CORROSIVE RELATIONSHIP AND NEED TO PULL OUT OF IT.
I THINK MITT ROMNEY SAID, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT, THAT WAS VERY SIGNIFICANT THAT HE VOTED AGAINST HIS PARTY.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF POINTS I'D MAKE ON THAT.
ONE IS THAT I THINK CONSERVATISM AND SKEPTICISM OF POWER.
WE SHOULD CELEBRATE THAT AS A PARTY.
WE HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS, FRANKLY DEMOCRATS SHOULD LEARN FROM THAT.
DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE A LITTLE MORE DIVERSE IN THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT IMPEACHMENT AND OTHER THINGS.
I THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL NOT BECAUSE HE'S DEVIATED FROM REPUBLICAN ORTHODOX THAT ROMNEY AND RYAN RAN ON.
BUT HE'S EMBRACING MOST OF THEIR AGENDA, THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT CONTEXTUAL POINT.
EVERYTHING THE PRESIDENT OUTLINED IN HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, DEREGULATION, TAX CUTS, OPPORTUNITY ZONES, THOSE WERE ALL ITEMS THAT ROMNEY AND RYAN CAMPAIGNED ON.
AND SO IT WOULD BE OVERSTATING THE POINT TO DIVISION ON REAL IDEAS GOING FORWARD.
>> Woodruff: IT IS VICTORIA NOURSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT 21 YEARS AGO THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LONG TIME.
BUT THIS IS ONLY THE THIRD TIME THAT THERE'S BEEN AN IMPEACHMENT VOTE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND TO THINK THAT TWO OF THOSE THREE HAVE COME JUST WITHIN THE LAST QUARTER CENTURY.
DOES IT SAY SOMETHING ABOUT US AS A COUNTRY AND THE PARTISANSHIP THAT JOHN IS DESCRIBING?
>> THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS TALKED ABOUT AN AGE OF IMPEACHMENT.
I'M NOT SURE WE'RE QUITE THERE YET.
I DO THINK OUR POLITICS HAS CHANGED, MEDIA HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY, EVERYTHING HAS SPEEDED UP WITH THE INTERNET, WITH TWEETS, THINGS ARE MOVING AT EXPONENTIALLY DIFFERENT PACE THAN DURING THE CLINTON ERA.
THIS IS A STRESS TEST BUT HOW CONSTITUTION IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.
NO ONE IS OUT THERE HITTING THEMSELVES OVER THE HEAD WITH A CANE DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
THEY'RE SITTING THERE, VERY SOMBER, VERY SOBER AND THEY ARE DOING WHAT A SEPARATED POWER SYSTEM SUGGESTS WHEN YOU CANNOT AGREE, YOU TRY TO -- YOU PUT IT BEFORE THE PUBLIC.
THAT THEY FIGHT WITH EACH OTHER AS PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.
AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS KIND OF CLASH, I AGREE, WHEN PARTISANSHIP IS SO ENDEMIC TO THE SYSTEM, IT WILL ERUPT BUT IT'S VERY LEAST THIS IS A PEACE-FILLED ERUPTION.
IT IS A GREAT NATIONAL CIVICS LESSON.
>> Woodruff: IT IS.
WE'RE NOT OUT IN THE STREETS WITH GUNS BEING FIRED AND PEOPLE BEING KILLED.
WE ARE HAVING A VOTE IN OUR CONGRESS, IN OUR UNITED STATES SENATE, JOHN, SO WE DO HAVE A PEACEFUL WAY TO RESOLVE THESE THINGS.
BUT WE STILL FEEL VERY -- WE ARE DIVIDED IN MANY WAYS.
>> WHAT VICTORIA SAID, SO I THINK WE SHOULD STEP BACK BE THANKFUL THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED THAT WE CAN HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION IN THE SENATE.
GOING BACK TO WHAT THE -- FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN ELECTIONS, BUT THE FOUNDERS KEPT GOING BACK TO PASSION AND IF WE HAVE TO CHECK OUR PARTISAN PASSION BECAUSE WHEN PASSION OVER TAKES REASON WE FAIL TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT REAL PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHAT LINCOLN WARNED AGAINST.
WE NEED TO GO TO THE SOLID -- OF SOBER REASON.
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS NEED TO TAKE A TRIP TOGETHER.
>> Woodruff: I WANT TO COME QUICKLY BACK TO WHAT THE HOUSE HAD THE OPTION OF DOING, VICTORIA, THEY CHOSE NOT TO DO AND THAT WAS TO CENSURE THE PRESIDENT.
THE FEELING WAS SO STRONG, THEY FELT THE ARGUMENT WAS SO POWERFUL THAT THEY HAD THE ARGUMENT THERE TO REMOVE THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE AND THEY MOVED AHEAD WITH THAT.
>> WELL, A CENSURE MOTION IS NOT PRIVILEGED IN THE SAME SENSE AS AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.
McCONNELL WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO BRING THAT UP.
>> Woodruff: HE COULD HAVE IGNORED IT IN THE SENATE.
>> WHERE AS THE RULES, I'M SURE IF HE HAD WANTED TO GET AROUND IMPEACHMENT AND RULES HAD ALLOWED HIM HE WOULD HAVE TRIED TO DO IT BECAUSE HE'S THE MASTER OF PROCEDURE.
BUT HE'S REQUIRED UNDER THE RULES TO ACTUALLY PROCEED ON THE TRIAL.
SO THIS IS WHY CENSURE REALLY NEVER GOT ANYWHERE.
THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE VOTES THAT WERE BIPARTISAN.
>> Woodruff: HARD TO SAY.
IT MAY NOT HAVE GOTTEN MORE VOTES, WE DON'T KNOW, JOHN, RIGHT?
>> AFTER AGAIN WHEN SCHIFF GAVE HIS SPEECH AT MIDNIGHT IN WASHINGTON, REPUBLICANS WERE SAYING 11:59, THAT HYPERBOLE WAS NOT PERSUASIVE.
THERE MAY WELL HAVE BEEN A SENSE OF THAT, OR SOME KIND OF -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY CENSURE COULD HAVE BEEN THERE BUT THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY A BROAD, WIDESPREAD BELIEF THAT THIS WAS NOT PERFECT BEHAVIOR.
AND SENATOR ACCEPTED THAT.
>> Woodruff: LISA DESJARDINS, I UNDERSTAND MAJORITY LEADER HAS BEEN SPEAKING ABOUT ALL THIS?
>> IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VOTE, LEADER McCONNELL WENT TO THE PRESS GALLEY, SPOKE TO REPORTERS, HE IS STILL HOLDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
SHE'S SENDING ME NOTES SAYING THAT LEADER McCONNELL SAYS HE THOUGHT THE DEMOCRATIC STRATEGY FOR THIS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL WAS TO MAKE IT LAST FOREVER, MAKE IT LAST A VERY LONG TIME, MONTHS AND MOG BY CALLING SERIES OF WITNESSES, HOLDING DEPOSITIONS THAT WOULD MAKE IT CARRY OVER WELL INTO THE REST OF THIS YEAR.
McCONNELL SAYING HE'S VERY PROUD OF REPUBLICANS IN PARTICULAR FOR HOLDING THE LINE ON THE WITNESS QUESTION, KEEPING THAT TRIAL CONTAINED.
OF COURSE THAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST OBJECTIONS THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE, AND MITT ROMNEY HIMSELF ALSO SAID HE WANTED TO HEAR FROM WITNESSES.
HE WANTED MORE INFORMATION.
AND I THINK AS YOUR GUESTS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS IS SOMETHING HISTORIANS WILL ANALYZE FOREVER THIS QUESTION OF, WHAT WAS THE SENATE'S RESPONSIBILITY, WHAT WERE THE POLITICS OF THAT DECISION, RIGHT NOW SENATOR McCONNELL SAYS THEY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION TO PUSH AWAY WHERE HE SEES AS DEMOCRATIC POLITICS OF WITNESSES.
>> Woodruff: SO INTERESTING, BY THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE LEAD HOUSE MANAGER AS A GUEST ON THE "NEWSHOUR" THIS EVENING.
DURING THE 6:00 EASTERN HOUR.
BUT SO INTERESTING TO HEAR THE MAJORITY LEADER MAKE THAT ARGUE WE KNOW DEMOCRATS ARGUE THAT THAT WAS NOT TRULY A FAIR TRIAL.
BECAUSE WITNESSES COULDN'T BE CALLED.
BUT THAT ARGUMENT GOES ON, LISA.
>> IT ALSO STRIKES ME THAT THIS MAKES SENSE AS AN ARGUMENT FOR SENATOR McCONNELL TODAY BECAUSE THAT -- HE DOESN'T WANT TO SEE MITT ROMNEY'S BREAK ON THE CONVICTION VOTE WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY PERHAPS MORE WEIGHTY DECISION HE REALLY WANTED TO KEEP ALL OF HIS REPUBLICANS TOGETHER ON THAT CRITICAL VOTE AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO.
>> Woodruff: AND AGAIN, REMINDING US THAT MITT ROMNEY DID BREAK WITH HIS PARTY ON ABUSE OF POWER.
BUT NOT ON THE SECOND ARTICLE OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS WHICH IS CONSIDERED BY, I THINK MANY, TO BE A WEAKER ARGUMENT.
BUT STILL AN ARTICLE IF IT HAD PASSED WITH THE REQUIRED 67 VOTES, THE PRESIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM OFFICE ON THAT ONE ARTICLE.
ON THAT NOTE, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU, THANKS TO OUR COLLEAGUES, LISA DESJARDINS, YAMICHE ALCINDOR, WITH ME COVERING THAT ENTIRE TRIAL, OUR GUESTS HERE AT THE TABLE, VICTORIA NOURSE AND JOHN HART.
WE CONCLUDE OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.
THE ORIGINS OF THE "NEWSHOUR" OF COURSE DATE BACK TO WATERGATE WHEN JIM LEHRERER AROUND ROBIN McNEIL PRESENTED NIGHTLY REPORT FOR VIEWERS TO SEE THOSE HISTORIC HEARINGS UNEDITED FOR THEMSELVES.
WE WANTED VERY MUCH TO CONTINUE THAT LEGACY BY PROVIDING OUR VIEWERS, YOU, GAVEL TO GAVEL COVERAGE OF THE SENATE TRIAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.
IF YOU HAVE MISSED ANY PORTION OF TODAY'S VOTE OR ANY OTHER DAY'S COVERAGE YOU WANT TO CATCH UP, YOU CAN SEE IT ON ALL OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/NEWSHOUR OR YOUTUBE OR OTHER SOCIAL PAGES.
FOR ALL OF US THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
