John,
As President Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate approaches, we need to keep the pressure on senators to demand witness testimony as part of the trial.
It's pretty rare to have Senate precedent be this consistent: in US history, every completed Senate impeachment trial—fifteen in all over the past 231 years—has had witnesses. I wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post last week about why President Trump’s impeachment trial should be no different. Read the op-ed here, and then share on Facebook or Twitter to help build momentum for witness testimony in the Senate.
It looks like senators are taking note of the public pressure to allow witness testimony—before the Senate votes, make sure your voice is heard. Email your senators and let them know that witness testimony must be a part of President Trump’s impeachment trial. There are 231 years of clear precedent, and President Trump should be no exception. Senators should hear from the people who have firsthand knowledge of the president’s actions that led to his impeachment, and that means hearing witness testimony.
Thank you,
Noah Bookbinder
Executive Director, CREW
----Original Message----
John,
In the history of the Senate, there have been 15 completed impeachment trials.
In every single one, witnesses have testified. President Trump’s impeachment trial should be no exception.
As negotiations for impeachment trial rules continue, Senators have a duty to work for a serious and fair trial—and that means hearing from witnesses. Contact your senators now and ask them to support witness testimony as part of the impeachment trial.
Since 1804, there have been 2 presidential impeachment trials, and 13 other completed impeachment trials of judges, Supreme Court justices and Cabinet members, and in every instance, witness testimony has been heard. Conducting a fair impeachment trial is one of the Senate’s most serious duties, and failing to make every effort to get the full story, which includes key witness testimony, would be a breach of that solemn duty.
Is your senator willing to throw out a precedent followed since America’s founding?
The stakes for our democracy are high. Each and every Senator should take seriously their duty to do impartial justice, which means not prejudging the outcome and taking the opportunity to hear from witnesses who have firsthand knowledge of President Trump’s actions. Your senators need to hear from you. Email them and let them know: witness testimony must be a part of the impeachment trial.
Thank you,
Jennifer Ahearn
Policy Director, CREW
