January 6, 2024

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Today is January 6, 2024. Three years ago today, former President Trump incited an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of his supporters committed a violent assault on our democracy in a desperate attempt to subvert the 2020 election results. Former President Trump wanted to stay in power at any cost. 

As Congress tried to do its Constitutional duty to certify the results of the election, U.S. Capitol Police, D.C. Metro Police, and other federal law enforcement agencies came under direct attack while protecting Congress from President Trump’s mob. Americans rightly reacted with shock and outrage when Mr. Trump did nothing while his own Vice President was forced to flee with his Secret Service members. Members of Congress and staff feared for their lives, saying what they thought were their last goodbyes to loved ones.

Right now, states across the country are determining whether former President Trump should be disqualified from appearing on the 2024 ballot. Under the 14th Amendment, the Constitution bars insurrectionists from holding public office. The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday decided it will rule on the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision removing Mr. Trump from that state’s ballot.

After the January 6, 2021 insurrection, I had the solemn duty to act as the presiding officer of the impeachment proceedings in the U.S. House of Representatives. I stand by my vote to impeach the former president for directly inciting that insurrection. I continue to strongly believe that his actions that day betrayed our Constitution and make him ineligible to serve as President of the United States ever again.

Further proof of Mr. Trump’s abuse of his office came this week in the release of a new House Oversight Committee report on the former president’s business dealings. The report clearly presents evidence that Mr. Trump violated the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause. Mr. Trump abused his position as president to enrich himself and his family, receiving millions of dollars directly from China and other foreign governments.

Mr. Trump has committed two acts against the Constitution and should not ever be allowed to hold power in our nation again. He, however, considers himself above the U.S. Constitution. His disrespect of the laws of the land shows great disrespect toward the American people. His actions in office did a great disservice to those who protect our nation and its public servants. I reaffirm to you that I will work to protect our democracy and defend the Constitution upon which our country was built from enemies both foreign and domestic. Our nation’s future depends on it.

As always, don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance with a federal agency or to voice your policy opinion. Thank you for being an informed and engaged constituent.

Sincerely,

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress