The federal lawmakers that represent the Levittown area reacted to the acquittal of President Donald Trump.
Trump’s impeachment trial on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress concluded Wednesday before the Republican-majority U.S. Senate.
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who wrote in Mike Pence instead of voting for Trump in 2016, released the following statement:”Congressman Fitzpatrick stands by his previous statements regarding this matter and that [Wedneday’s] action, from a constitutional standard, was the correct result. Impeachment and removal are a constitutional nuclear option of last resort. The Congressman believes that the American people should choose their president.”
Fitzpatrick has previously said he found the president’s actions on the Ukraine matter “troubling.”
Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican, said the following:
“I joined a majority of senators in voting to acquit President Trump. The Constitution sets a very high bar for impeachment and removal of a sitting president. While some of President Trump’s actions were inappropriate, they did not come close to meeting the very high bar required to justify overturning the last election, removing him from office, and kicking him off the ballot in an election that has already begun. In November, the American people will decide for themselves whether President Trump should stay in office. In our democratic system, that’s the way it should be.”
“It is my hope that Congress can now move past this extremely partisan and divisive episode and get back to working on issues that will strengthen our economy and make our communities safer.”
Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, issued a statement before the acquittal verdict but not after. Here is what he said before the vote:
“Over the course of two weeks, House Managers presented substantial, persuasive evidence that President Trump abused his power and obstructed Congress. It is unfortunate so many of my Republican colleagues voted last week to overrule the will of the American people and block additional witnesses and documents that would speak directly to the President’s conduct. America deserved a fair trial and it got a cover-up.”
“Even without additional witnesses or documents, after carefully reviewing all of the available evidence, I have determined that House Managers have not only met, but exceeded, any reasonable burden of proof standard. As many Republican Senators now admit, the House Managers proved their case. It is clear: President Trump abused his power and obstructed Congress’ investigation.”
“There is no doubt that President Trump withheld military aid and a vital White House meeting from Ukraine, in order to coerce its President into announcing a sham investigation of a political rival and a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election. It has also been established that he solicited foreign interference in the 2020 election and then further abused his power by covering it up and obstructing Congress’ well-predicated investigation.”
On Thursday, Trump held a press conference celebrating his acquittal, which he called a “gorgeous word.”
“I want to apologize to my family for having them have to go through a phony, rotten deal by some very evil and sick people,” he said.
The impeachment trial against Trump was only the third against a president in the nation’s history.
