BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives bipartisan vote to impeach Donald Trump for “inciting violence against the Government of the United States.”

CARDIN: “President Trump stands alone as the only American president to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives because he is the only sitting American president in our 244-year history who incited a violent insurrection against our own government. There have been presidents with whom I have disagreed on nearly every policy matter, but I knew they at least understood the U.S. Constitution, took their constitutional oath seriously, and respected the checks and balances and separation of powers in our government.

“Donald Trump should have resigned last week when he failed to take any action to quell the violent mob that he urged to head to the Capitol. He should have resigned after the death of the Capitol Police officer who was attacked by the domestic terrorists as they invaded our seat of government searching out lawmakers and staff. Six people have now lost their lives as a result of the lawlessness encouraged by our president, who keeps saying he supports ‘law and order.’ For the sake of our nation, Donald Trump should resign now and allow our country to heal from the wounds he has inflicted upon our democracy by his flagrant disregard of the Constitution and contempt for the rule of law. Of course, Donald Trump has never voluntarily put the country before his own self-interests, which is why we find the country in crisis today.

“The instability and constitutional trauma caused by Donald Trump’s actions make it more important that the Senate expedites an impeachment trial or multitasks by also holding confirmation hearings and votes on President-elect Joe Biden’s crucial national security nominees. The Senate also urgently needs to pass the next COVID-19 relief package to help Americans during the ongoing pandemic. I urge outgoing Majority Leader McConnell to work with incoming Majority Leader Schumer to bring the Senate back immediately to deal with the blatant transgressions of our president. The amount of time he has left in office is irrelevant. There must be serious consequences for encouraging the overthrow of our legally elected government.”

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