IMPEACHMENT: Tune In, Learn More, and Give Feedback

QUICK ACTION

The House will vote on two articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress – on Wednesday Dec. 18. On Tuesday evening, gatherings will be held across the nation to demand that our reps uphold their oaths of office and ensure that nobody is above the law. Find an event near you, get caught up on the facts, and make sure your reps know what you think at each stage of the process. 

THE ISSUE

President Trump faces impeachment because an investigation sparked by a whistleblower complaint revealed that he orchestrated a shadow diplomatic effort to leverage congressionally-approved taxpayer funds and official state meetings in order to coerce a foreign government into facilitating an attack against his political rival, and then worked to cover up the evidence and obstruct the ensuing investigation. The House Intelligence Committee held two weeks of public depositions by fact witnesses, and sent its report to the House Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee held its own hearings, released its own report on the constitutional grounds for impeachment, and has announced the drafting of two articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The House vote on impeachment is expected on Wednesday Dec. 18. Gatherings at Congressional offices and in town squares will be held all across the nation on Tuesday Dec. 17 at 5:30PM, to demand that our legislators uphold their oaths of office and ensure that no one is above the law. There are at least 10 events planned in Maine (some locations times may vary). Before you go, get caught up on the inquiry, and make a plan to give feedback to your reps at every stage of the impeachment process. We especially need those in CD2 to contact Rep. Golden and write letters to the editor!

ATTEND A “NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW” IMPEACHMENT EVE EVENT ON TUESDAY(most events are happening at 5:30PM, but click on each link to confirm!) 

• PORTLAND | Monument Square 
• BRUNSWICK | Town Mall 
• LEWISTON/AUBURN | Longley Bridge 4PM
• AUGUSTA | Statehouse 
• ROCKLAND | Chapman Park
• NORTH HAVEN | North Haven Ballpark
• BELFAST | Post Office Square
• BAR HARBOR | Village Green
• BANGOR | Luther H. Pierce Memorial Park
• MACHIAS | The Dike 4:30PM

PROCESS THE INFORMATION

The House Intelligence Committee has released transcripts of closed-door depositions. The transcripts, as well as key excerpts, “who’s who” info, and “big picture” take-aways can be found HERE. The Washington Post also created a great timeline of all the events at the heart of the impeachment inquiry as well as a succinct overview of where impeachment stands now. If you only have time to read one very short thing, we recommend this open letter, penned by more than 500 legal scholars, asserting that Trump committed impeachable offenses. There are also many excellent impeachment explainers and analysis available. We’re particularly fond of an explainer created by Vox. 

IMPEACHMENT REPORTS

Articles of Impeachment Against Donald J. Trump for High Crimes and Misdemeanors

The House Judiciary Committee Report on Constitutional Grounds for Presidential Impeachment

The House Intelligence Committee Impeachment Inquiry Report 

TELL YOUR REPS WHAT YOU THINK

With each new piece of info, you’ll have a better picture of what happened, what it all means, and what you think should be done about it. Your reps are watching along with you, and need constituent feedback with each new step of the process. Find their contact info below and also HERE, and get tips on writing letters to the editor HERE.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

From Judiciary to House Floor. The House will vote on the articles of impeachment on Wednesday Dec. 18. If a simple majority of House members vote to impeach the president, the case then moves to the Senate for the impeachment trial.

From House to Senate. In this political – not criminal – trial, the House appoints “impeachment managers” to serve as the prosecution. Trump’s lawyers serve as the defense, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts presides. At the end, the Senate will vote to convict or acquit on each article of impeachment. If two thirds of the Senate (that’s 67 senators, including 20 Republicans) vote to convict on any of the articles, the President is removed from office. 

CATCH UP ON PUBLIC HEARINGS YOU MISSED

[Note: We have included links to the full public hearings, below. You can also find select video clips HERE.]

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARINGS

The House Judiciary Committee’s first impeachment hearing featured four constitutional scholars who answered questions about what constitutes an impeachable offense: Noah Feldman of Harvard University, Pamela Karlan of Stanford University, Michael Gerhardt of the University of North Carolina, and Jonathan Turley of George Washington University. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS

The committee’s second public impeachment hearing featuring presentations from the House Intelligence Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS

HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE FACT WITNESS HEARINGS

US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS 

Vice President Pence’s Special Advisor for Europe and Russia Jennifer Williams and National Security Council Director for European Affairs Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS 

Former U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker and National Security Council Director for Europe and Russia Tim Morrison. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS 

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russian, Ukrainian, and Eurasian Affairs Laura Cooper and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS

Former National Security Council Director for Europe and Russia Fiona Hill and State Department Political Counselor David Holmes. WATCH IT | KEY TAKE-AWAYS

Originally posted on Suit Up Maine. Re-posted with permission.