02.13.21

Durbin Votes to Convict Donald Trump in His Second Impeachment Trial

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after voting to convict former President Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection against our government:

“For the last five days, the House Managers have carefully laid out a convincing case for conviction.  The Managers had the facts, the law, the Constitution, and compelling evidence on their side.  That is why I voted to convict Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection against our government.

“I regret that more of my Republican colleagues did not join me in voting to convict and disqualify Donald Trump from holding future office.  I wish the Senate had sent an unequivocal message that it is unacceptable for any president to incite violence in order to stop the peaceful transition of power.  But it should not be lost that a majority of Senators—including seven Senators from the President’s own party—voted to convict him.

“On January 6, that great tradition of American democracy, the peaceful transition of power that had taken place in every presidential transition since George Washington’s, was assailed.  Our democracy, our Constitution, and the Capitol building were attacked on January 6, 2021.  Brave Americans were wounded and killed defending them.  And thanks to that bravery, our democracy endures.  We must learn our lessons from this. We will remember January 6, 2021 forever.  And we must not repeat it.” 

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