Currents News Staff
After hours of intense partisan debate, the House of Representatives on Dec. 18 took two very solemn votes on two articles of presidential impeachment.
The dramatic day ended with a stunning political juxtaposition and a historical moment in American history.
The announcement came while President Trump was on stage for a rally in Battle Creek, Michigan.
“It doesn’t really feel like we’re being impeached,” he told the crowd as the House of Representatives voted on two articles against him.
The emotional partisan floor debate wound down with a final Republican rebuttal by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
“Is this why we came here to serve,” he asked, “to trample on due process rights? To issue more subpoenas than laws?”
The last words came from House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff, who had a lead role in the inquiry.
“We should care about our allies. We should care about Ukraine. We should care about a country struggling to be free and a democracy. We used to care about democracy,” he said.
The votes to approve both articles — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — fell largely along party lines.
President Trump was defiant after the votes.
“We did nothing wrong. Nothing whatsoever,” he said. “This is just an excuse.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was not touting a victory for Democrats, but for American democracy.
“We have done what we have set out to do,” she said. “The House has acted on a very sad day to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.