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In this screenshot taken from a Senate Television webcast, House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) speaks during impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol on January 23, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Senate Television via Getty Images)
'If Truth Doesn't Matter, We're Lost': Watch Rep. Adam Schiff's 9-Minute Closing Argument on Why Senate Must Remove Trump
"You know you can't trust this president to do what's right for this country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump. He'll do it now. He's done it before."
Jan 23, 2020
In nine-minute closing remarks capping off the third day of President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial Thursday night, Rep. Adam Schiff argued the evidence for Trump's guilt is overwhelming and said his removal from office is a necessary step toward protecting the U.S. Constitution and the national interest.
Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) handpicked impeachment managers, contended it is undeniable that Trump has "done what he's charged with"--abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress.
The only remaining question, said Schiff, is: "Does he really need to be removed?" The Democrat from California argued unequivocally that the answer is yes.
"If right doesn't matter, it doesn't matter how good the Constitution is," Schiff said. "It doesn't matter how brilliant the framers were. Doesn't matter how good or bad our advocacy in this trial is. Doesn't matter how well written the oath of impartiality is. If right doesn't matter, we're lost. If the truth doesn't matter, we're lost."
"You know you can't trust this president to do what's right for this country," Schiff continued. "You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump. He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed."
Watch:
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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In nine-minute closing remarks capping off the third day of President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial Thursday night, Rep. Adam Schiff argued the evidence for Trump's guilt is overwhelming and said his removal from office is a necessary step toward protecting the U.S. Constitution and the national interest.
Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) handpicked impeachment managers, contended it is undeniable that Trump has "done what he's charged with"--abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress.
The only remaining question, said Schiff, is: "Does he really need to be removed?" The Democrat from California argued unequivocally that the answer is yes.
"If right doesn't matter, it doesn't matter how good the Constitution is," Schiff said. "It doesn't matter how brilliant the framers were. Doesn't matter how good or bad our advocacy in this trial is. Doesn't matter how well written the oath of impartiality is. If right doesn't matter, we're lost. If the truth doesn't matter, we're lost."
"You know you can't trust this president to do what's right for this country," Schiff continued. "You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump. He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed."
Watch:
In nine-minute closing remarks capping off the third day of President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial Thursday night, Rep. Adam Schiff argued the evidence for Trump's guilt is overwhelming and said his removal from office is a necessary step toward protecting the U.S. Constitution and the national interest.
Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) handpicked impeachment managers, contended it is undeniable that Trump has "done what he's charged with"--abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress.
The only remaining question, said Schiff, is: "Does he really need to be removed?" The Democrat from California argued unequivocally that the answer is yes.
"If right doesn't matter, it doesn't matter how good the Constitution is," Schiff said. "It doesn't matter how brilliant the framers were. Doesn't matter how good or bad our advocacy in this trial is. Doesn't matter how well written the oath of impartiality is. If right doesn't matter, we're lost. If the truth doesn't matter, we're lost."
"You know you can't trust this president to do what's right for this country," Schiff continued. "You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump. He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed."
Watch:
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