Today, 43 U.S. senators chose to acquit the former president from any responsibility for the assault on the U.S. Capitol and on members of Congress. This violence on January 6, 2021, marked the culmination of a months-long attack on our system of elections by former President Donald J. Trump. His behavior was highly undemocratic and unethical.
Unfortunately, he was joined by others who, through falsehoods, also attacked the integrity of our elections. Today, many who voted to acquit the former president did so in order to acquit themselves. For many months and years they had aligned themselves with his anti-democratic behavior. In the end, they were no longer able to separate their fate from his. We believe Trump and the elected officials who supported his efforts have done great harm, and we are sure history will not be kind to them. We sincerely hope citizens will hold them to account at the ballot box.
While acknowledging with sorrow that our nation’s Constitution and her institutions have been debased and devalued by many of those sworn to uphold them, we look to the future with great hope. In spite of determined attempts to thwart them, Americans cast their ballots in record numbers in the November election. In the face of persistent and powerful pressure, local and state officials counted those ballots and ensured the election was fair. In the months leading up to the election, and in the uncertain days following, there was a persistent and organized effort to utilize legitimate means to secure the vote, enfranchise citizens, and keep the peace.
Collectively, our voices were powerful and have ensured that for the time being, the rule of law and our democratic institutions will continue. Today, 57 senators joined their voices with the voters, calling for accountability, democracy, and truth. Americans dedicated to democracy now have a clear understanding of who they can trust to protect it.
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