Following the U.S. House’s vote to impeach President Donald Trump the afternoon of Jan. 13, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, issued a statement calling Trump “one of the greatest threats to the future of our democracy.” Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor, said the impeachment was rushed and “undermines the Constitution.”
DeGette is one of nine impeachment managers who will present the House’s case against Trump in the Senate.
“President Trump’s actions that incited a violent mob of his supporters to attack the United States Congress, in an attempt to prevent us from certifying the results of the election for his opponent, are inexcusable,” DeGette said. “He, and his accomplices, must be held fully accountable.
“No one is above the law in this country, not even the president. I am honored that Speaker Pelosi has asked me to help defend our Democracy by presenting our case against President Trump in the Senate. I can think of no greater responsibility than that of defending our Constitution by holding President Trump fully accountable for inciting an insurrection against our government.”
Earlier in the day, Buck issued a statement saying he would not be among those voting to impeach Trump.
“I will not vote to again impeach the President,” Buck said on Twitter. “Pelosi gave members just 2 hours of debate to discuss these articles. There were no testimonies under oath, witnesses, sober deliberation, or regular processes. This rushed impeachment undermines the Constitution.”
Buck added that last week’s riots at the U.S. Capitol were “despicable and un-American” and that he disagrees with Trump’s “rhetoric during his January 6th speech.”
His statement continued:
“If we are serious about acknowledging this violence, we must recognize the divisive political climate that leaders in this country have created. Republican and Democrat members of Congress alike must lead on this issue by toning down the divisive rhetoric and encouraging unity. This botched impeachment only fans the flames of an already out of control fire.”