Tonight, I voted to impeach the President.

On January 6, 2021, an armed and violent mob stormed the United States Capitol in an effort to obstruct the certification of electoral votes for President-Elect Joe Biden. With encouragement from Donald Trump and several Republican leaders, these insurrectionists were motivated by the false idea that their electoral process was fraudulent and unconstitutional.

The attack resulted in injury, destruction, even death -- and one thing is certain: it was incited by the President of the United States. It would not have happened if not for the President. He could have immediately put an end to the violence. Instead, he showed solidarity.

We have known Donald Trump and his rhetoric to be inflammatory, violent, and unequivocally un-American -- but his incitement of an attempted coup is a complete betrayal of the office he holds. He is unfit to serve for the remainder of his term, and for the rest of his life.

Donald Trump must be held accountable for his attempts to undermine our democracy. As Congressmembers, we have a responsibility to hold him accountable. This evening, I fulfilled my duty by voting to impeach the President.

Thank you,

Congresswoman Terri Sewell