Hundreds of congressional staffers are calling on the Senate to convict former President Donald Trump in the upcoming Impeachment trial, following the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6.
In a letter to the Senate, more than 370 House and Senate staffers signed a letter where they share their âown views and experiences, not the views of our employers.â
âOn January 6, 2021, our workplace was attacked by a violent mob trying to stop the electoral college vote count,â they write. âThat mob was incited by former president Donald J. Trump and his political allies, some of whom we pass every day in the hallways at work.â
They also wrote, âOur Constitution only works when we believe in it and defend itâŚThe use of violence and lies to overturn an election is not worthy of debate. Either you stand with the republic or against it.â
The staffers continued:
âAs Congressional employees, we donât have a vote on whether to convict Donald J. Trump for his role in inciting the violent attack at the Capitol, but our Senators do. And for our sake, and the sake of the country, we ask that they vote to convict the former president and bar him from ever holding office again.â
Read the full letter below:
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump, charging him with âincitement of insurrectionâ in January. The Senate is expected to begin the Impeachment trial on Feb. 9.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) poured cold water on an idea to censure Trump instead of holding an Impeachment trial.
He said during a press conference on Tuesday, âI think the president should be triedâŚanything past that is something we can discuss,â adding, âBut he deserves conviction, nothing less.â
At least 17 Republicans would have to join Democrats in order to convict Trump, but some believe it is âextraordinarily unlikely that the president will be convicted.â
