Thank you to our friends and partners at Eleven Films for taking videos from Impeachment Eve rallies all over the country and creating this terrific video!
Below the video we’ve printed the text of the speech that Nick Knudsen gave at the Portland, Oregon, rally last night, which you will hear in part in the video.
I want to take a step back and ask you all a question. Why are we here?
Are we here because Donald Trump abused the power of the presidency to strongarm a foreign nation into manufacturing dirt on his political opponent?
Are we here because he and his administration have obstructed the House’s investigations into these matters, thumbing their noses at Congress’s constitutionally-afforded mandate to act as a check on a runaway presidency?
It’s true. These facts do bring us together tonight.
We know from watching the impeachment proceedings … We’ve got him. He did it. Trump extorted Ukraine.
Bribery is literally listed in the Constitution as a high crime that warrants impeachment & removal. There is no grey area here. This isn’t complicated.
So, tonight we rally in support of the House of Representatives as they carry out their solemn duty tomorrow to impeach the President of the United States.
But that is not why we’re here. In another time, in a different political reality, there would be no need for us to rally here in near-freezing temperatures in the middle of a workweek as the holidays approach.
As many of you know, Richard Nixon was never actually impeached by the House. They didn’t have the chance to hold a vote, because Republicans in Congress came to Nixon and told him he was done – that if a Senate trial were to take place, Nixon would be removed from office.
Trump’s crimes are worse than Nixon’s. We shouldn’t have to even be here tonight.
So I ask again – why are we here?
We are here because the GOP has refused to stand up for their country, for their constituents, and for the Constitution. They have shown us time and again that they cannot be trusted to put country first.
We can’t relent our public pressure. In fact – we have to elevate it.
Because to Trump & the GOP, truth doesn’t matter.
The only thing that matters is what they can make people believe so that they can stay in power.
So instead of upholding their oaths, they’re gaslighting the public.
Does anybody doubt that Mitch McConnell will do whatever he can – say whatever’s necessary to sweep this under the rug, truth be damned?
Are we going to let him get away with that?
No.
So what’s next? What’s next is accountability.
Accountability for Trump, and for all those who attempt to shield him from it.
We can’t stand by and allow a proven criminal to occupy the White House any longer.
That is our house. Not his. He works for us. So do Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Joni Ernst, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Cory Gardner, Martha McSally and all the other GOP Senators up for re-election next year.
If they fail to do their duty, then we will see to it that they are held to account on November 3rd, 2020.
2020 will be a year that defines our collective future. There is a battle coming for the soul of America.
Seeing all of you democracy warriors assembled here tonight gives me hope.
But hope won’t win this. Only continued, resolute action will.
Our mission is not just to see that Trump is removed from office, but to eradicate Trumpism altogether from American politics. The best way to do this on a grand scale is by repudiating and ending the political careers of officials who have embraced and defended him.
My challenge to you:
Stay engaged as this impeachment battle unfolds. Just because we lack faith in the GOP’s ability to do the right thing, doesn’t mean they get a pass. A failure to convict gives Trump as much leash as he wants to solicit and benefit from foreign interference in our elections.
And finally – look ahead to November, but not the Presidential election. Get ready to kick it up a notch in 2020 and support the election of principled Americans who believe in defending the constitution.
There is a lot on the line. But take a look around you right now. They may have the positions of power, the cash reserves, and the FOX News brainwashing machine.
But we have the people. We have the drive. We are the patriots defending America. And we will prevail.
