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Pasadena Congressman Adam Schiff Named Lead House Impeachment Manager
News Jan 16, 2020
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, tested positive for COVID Tuesday. | Photo by Terry Miller/HeySoCal.com
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Senators must demand to see and hear the full evidence, including the documents and witnesses the president has blocked. – File photo by Terry Miller/Beacon Media News
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the House Managers for the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump:
“I am humbled by the responsibility of serving as the lead House Manager in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump, and thank Speaker Pelosi for the trust she has placed in me and our team. It is a solemn responsibility and one that I will undertake with the seriousness that the task requires.
“The House of Representatives was compelled by our duty to Constitution and country to hold President Trump accountable for his wrongdoing. President Trump abused the power of his office by pressing a foreign government to interfere in our elections, while withholding a highly sought-after White House meeting and vital military aid to an ally at war with Russia. When he was caught, President Trump obstructed – in an unprecedented and sweeping fashion – the House impeachment inquiry.
“The overwhelming evidence and testimony presented against the President led to his impeachment last month, and since that time, more documents have come to light, and witnesses have come forward willing to testify.
“Americans overwhelmingly want a fair trial in the Senate, fair to the President and fair to the people. Senators must demand to see and hear the full evidence, including the documents and witnesses the President has blocked. Only then can they faithfully discharge their own Constitutional duties to be fair and impartial jurors.
“Trump’s abuse of power is a clear and present danger to our democracy and national security interests. The House upheld our Constitutional duty. Now it’s up to the Senate to do the same.
“In this next phase, I look forward to working closely with my fellow Managers on behalf of the American people and in defense of our Constitution.”
On Wednesday, the seven House impeachment managers walked articles of impeachment from the lower chamber to the Senate.
Managers will serve as prosecutors in the case against President Trump in the Senate’s trial. Schiff, a former federal prosecutor, along with the other House Managers will argue that the president should be removed from office for withholding $391 million in congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and a discredit conspiracy theory that Ukraine — not Russia as established by U.S. intelligence agencies — interfered in the 2016 election. Impeachment managers will also argue that Trump obstructed the House’s investigation by holding back witnesses and documents in defiance of subpoenas.
The articles of impeachment were read on the Senate floor as outlined by Senate rules. During this reading, Schiff took to the Senate floor to read the articles out loud.
“President Trump used the powers of the presidency in a manner that compromised the national security of the United States and undermined the integrity of the United States democratic process,” Schiff read.
At 2 p.m. Supreme Court Justice Chief Justice John Roberts will arrive to preside over the trial and swear senators in as impartial jurors.
The trial will begin on Tuesday with a vote on the rules that will govern it.
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