Arizona political leaders react to impeachment of Donald Trump

PHOENIX — Arizona political leaders were quick to react Wednesday as Donald Trump became the third president in United States history to be impeached.

The Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment, one for Trump abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rivals and the other for obstructing Congress during an investigation of the allegations.

As expected, Arizona politicians were split along party lines in their reaction.

Democrats applauded the move, with U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva tweeting that impeachment was a necessary action to restore democracy.

“It is a somber day to impeach a President, but his reckless actions and brazen corruption left us with no other choice,” Grijalva, who voted to impeach Trump, said. “I based my decision on the facts and voted to protect our democracy for future generations. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will do the same.”

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, who also voted yes on impeachment, attacked House Republicans for not voting in favor of impeachment.

Not a single House Republican stood up tonight in defense of the rule of law and our democracy.

History will not be kind.

— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) December 19, 2019

On the Republican side, political leaders were critical of what they deemed a “partisan investigation” by Democrats against Trump.

Rep. David Schweikert voted against impeachment and called the decision a poor use of a “political tool.”

“Although we saw this day coming for quite some time, I am saddened our country has been put through this partisan and political impeachment process that has resulted in no evidence of President Trump committing ‘treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors.'”

GOP Rep. Debbie Lesko called the impeachment the “most unfair, politically-biased railroad job in the history of the U.S.”

This has been the most unfair, corrupt, politically-biased railroad job in the history of the US. A very sad day for our nation. Not 1 of the Dems’ witnesses were able to establish that treason, bribery or high crimes & misdemeanors—as required in the Constitution—were committed.

— Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (@RepDLesko) December 19, 2019

The fate of Trump now moves into the hands of the Republican-controlled Senate, which is expected to acquit him during a trial in January. A two-thirds vote would be needed to convict Trump and remove him from office.

Republican U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar reaffirmed their support of Trump ahead of the next step of the impeachment process.

This is a dark day for the United States of America. History will abhor the Democrats’ radical, vindictive efforts to punish, harass, & remove their political opponent.

I voted NO on both of the Democrats, votes to overturn the 2016 election.

STATEMENT: https://t.co/SpcAEggaNr

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) December 19, 2019

Bipartisan opposition to this shameful impeachment hoax. https://t.co/rabzlAWaHR

— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) December 19, 2019

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