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By C.J. Atkins
President Donald J. Trump’s legacy as a corrupt and lawless president is now permanently recorded for all of history. By a near party-line vote, he stands formally indicted of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, making him only the third president in the history of the United States to be impeached. Attention now shifts toward his January Senate trial, but the ultimate verdict on his criminal rule will come on Nov. 3, 2020.
Some of the most powerful moments in the debate came during remarks by veteran progressive members. Rep. Maxine Waters said the rules of the debate did not allow her “to cite all the reasons this president should be impeached.” Addressing Congress, she said, “Based on all we know about Donald Trump, we could have predicted he would abuse his power.” She quoted Maya Angelou, saying, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Rep. John Lewis recalled pivotal moments of the past while encouraging a yes vote on the resolution. “When we came to Washington for the Freedom Rides…for the March on Washington…for the signing of the Voting Rights Act…we were excited, hopeful,” he said. “But today, this day, we didn’t ask for this…. When you see something that is not right, you have a moral obligation to do something.” He reminded Republicans, “Our children will ask, what did you do? What did you say? We have a mission and a mandate to be on the right side of history.”
Al Green, a representative from Texas and a long-time impeachment advocate, carried a large portrait of a crying immigrant girl being separated from her parents at the border as he solemnly asked the House, “Shall any man be beyond justice?”
Speaking about the need to protect the future, the voice of Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva thundered through the House. “No amount of lies...
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