State lawmakers push for ‘fair and just’ Senate impeachment trial
Jan 15, 2020, 11:38 AM
Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
With the U.S. House of Representatives voting to send two articles of impeachment to the Senate, Washington state’s own lawmakers in D.C. are now turning their attention toward ensuring a thorough trial takes place.
WA Sen. Patty Murray: Senate ‘must allow a fair trial’ for impeachment
“The House has acted to protect and defend our Constitution – now it is time for Senator McConnell and the Senate to uphold their oath of office and conduct a fair and just trial,” Washington Rep. Adam Smith said in a Wednesday news release.
Wednesday’s vote in the House was 228-193, coming at the start of a presidential election year and one month after the House impeached Trump alleging abuse of power over his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, using military aid to the country as leverage. Trump was also charged with obstructing Congress’ ensuing probe.
Trump, during an event at the White House, recently rejected the charges as a “hoax.”
Echoing Smith’s calls for a trial was Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
“This is a day of accountability and defending our democracy,” Jayapal said Wednesday. “The Senate must hold a fair trial and end the cover-up.”
Jayapal: President Trump ‘is the smoking gun’ for impeachment
Washington Senator Patty Murray has also made it clear she shares concerns that any trial in the Senate could potentially be compromised by Republican leadership.
“[Senate Majority] Leader [Mitch] McConnell must allow a fair trial,” Murray said in December. “Each Senator here has to consider the strong case the House has put forward as a citizen and a patriot, not a partisan.”
While Senators are required to take an oath that affirms they “will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws” during an impeachment trial, Republicans have already threatened to defy that directive.
Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has previously noted that he “is not an impartial juror,” and has been coordinating with the White House on its defense strategy. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has similarly stated he is “not trying to pretend to be a fair juror.”
