San Antonio Express-News: 'If this is not impeachable, nothing is': Congressman Lloyd Doggett on why Trump must be impeached
Texas District 35 U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett laid out his case on why House lawmakers should impeach President Trump Wednesday.
In his speech to the House, Doggett, who represents San Antonio, Austin and San Marcos, said Trump violated his sworn duty to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution by seeking to "violently overthrow the government" with his Jan. 6 speech.
Trump told his supporters to "fight like hell, and if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore," which Congress is pointing to as the helping incite a riot at the U.S. Capitol shortly that killed five. House lawmakers are charging Trump with "incitement of insurrection" due to the unprecedented events.
"For years, Trump has honored thugs worldwide who suppress democracy," the Democratic congressman said. "For months, with a daily diet of lies, he had made clear his refusal to accept any election in which he was not the winner."
Doggett said Trump tried to intimate Republican election officials into committing fraud and Republican-appointed judges into ignoring the constitution with his "desperate" attempt to stop the meeting confirming President-elect Joe Biden's win on Jan. 6.
"If this is not impeachable, nothing is," he said.
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro also chimed in on the matter, tweeting "Donald Trump is the most dangerous man to ever occupy the Oval Office." Castro and eight others were named as impeachment managers by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Tuesday evening.
Lawmakers are set to vote on the article of impeachment around 2 p.m. Wednesday. If impeached, it would be the second time Trump faces possible removal during his presidency.
Watch Doggett's full speech in the video below:
By impeaching him today, we not only demand accountability for President Trump's gross misconduct but—more importantly—we declare to the next Trump-like, aspiring tyrant: Not in America. We love our democracy too much. My speech just now: pic.twitter.com/lL7xzRPO4N
— Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett) January 13, 2021