Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) read off his articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
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00:00Mr. Speaker, when I was sworn into office, I took an oath to protect the constitution
00:07of this great nation. I'm an immigrant who came to this country with just $20 in my pocket.
00:15The United States has given me so much. I love America, and I will do anything to protect
00:23our constitution and our democratic values. Donald J. Trump has been committing crimes
00:31since day one. Bribery, corruption, taking power from Congress, creating an unlawful office
00:41in Doge, violating First Amendment rights, ignoring due process, and finally refusing
00:49to abide by a unanimous Supreme Court ruling. Just as I stand here in the House of Representatives,
00:56Mr. Trump is traveling to the Middle East to accept a gift worth $400 million from a foreign
01:04government. I have spoken with Americans all over the country.
01:11Gentlemen, time has expired.
01:14And members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the president.
01:19For what purpose does the gentleman from Michigan rise, or seek recognition?
01:25Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Clause 2A1 of Rule 9, I rise to give notice of my intention to raise
01:35a question of the privilege of the House.
01:44Yes, and the gentleman will read the notice.
01:49May I proceed?
01:53Yes, can I just read the notice?
01:55Mr. Speaker, the form of the resolution is as follows.
02:05House Resolution 353, impeaching Donald John Trump,
02:14President of the United States for High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
02:22Resolution, impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States for High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
02:36Resolve that Donald John Trump, President of the United States,
02:42is impeached for High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
02:46And that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the Senate.
02:54Article of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America
03:02in the name of the United States for High Crimes and the United States for High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
03:11John Trump, President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of
03:20its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
03:27Article 1, obstruction of justice, violation of due process, and a breach of the duty to
03:38faithfully execute laws.
03:41The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives shall have the sole power
03:49of impeachment and that the President shall be removed from office on impeachment for
03:58and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
04:08Further, Article 2 of the Constitution states that the President shall take care that the
04:20laws be faithfully executed.
04:23The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution states that the right of the people against unreasonable
04:34searches and seizures shall not be violated.
04:38And the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution states that no person shall be deprived of life,
04:50liberty, or property without due process of the law.
04:59In his conduct of the Office of the President of the United States, and in violation of his
05:08Constitutional oath to faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States,
05:17and to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,
05:27and in violation of his Constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
05:36Donald John Trump has abused the power of the Presidency in a manner offensive to and subversive to and subversive of the Constitution in that,
05:51using the power of his high office, Donald John Trump has engaged in this scheme of course of conduct through the following means.
06:03One, by his orders and directions to subordinates, obstructed the administration of justice, and embarked on a scheme to destroy and corrupt the legal system and the powers of the courts under Article III of the Constitution.
06:24Specifically, he has done the following.
06:28Directed and permitted his subordinates and attorneys at the Department of Justice to violate their oath to uphold the Constitution,
06:40laws of the United States, and the rules of professional ethics by adducing misleading and willfully false representation to the courts of the United States,
06:55and to otherwise abuse their official powers.
07:00Specifically, he has sought to dismiss, without prejudice, and under false pretense, the bribery and fraud charges against New York Mayor, Mayor Eric Adams,
07:14in an unethical quid pro quo exchange for the defendant's cooperation with the administration's political priorities,
07:25thus abusing the criminal laws to unconstitutionally commandeer a state officer and unit of government in violation of the sovereignty thereof,
07:39and terminated and purged career Department of Justice attorneys without reasonable cause and in violation of the law in retaliation for their legitimate investigatory and prosecutorial work under prior administrations,
08:01including in relation to the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol,
08:08and in retaliation for attorneys upholding their ethical and legal obligations, including candor and honesty to the courts.
08:19B. Directed and permitted the evasion and defiance of binding court orders.
08:29Specifically, he has removed persons from the United States to El Salvador,
08:36despite an order from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia,
08:43for which said court has found probable cause that the government committed acts of criminal contempt.
08:55Removed Kilmer Armando Abrego Garcia from the United States to El Salvador,
09:04despite a binding withholding of removal order prohibiting the government from removing him to El Salvador.
09:15Defied court orders and are filled by a unanimous ruling of the Supreme Court to facilitate the release of Mr. Abrego Garcia,
09:29and related orders to provide information to the court and opposing counsel while publicly founting their refusal.
09:40Acted in contempt of court for violating a court sanctioned settlement agreement and conducted enforced disappearances of persons without due process
09:55and without disclosing their refusal and legal counsel in violation of the Constitution and the rulings of the Supreme Court,
10:10as well as the foundational principles of due process and rule of law.
10:18C. Directed and permitted the deliberate and systematic violation of laws duly enacted by Congress.
10:28Specifically, he has terminated Inspector Generals,
10:33the officers responsible for detecting and preventing waste by auditing and investigating their respective agencies,
10:43operations and personnel in violation of the process stipulated by the Inspector General Act of 1974,
10:53as subsequently amended.
10:56Terminated, a member of the Merit System Protection Board,
11:02a Tribunal created to address widespread public concerns about the Federal Civil Service,
11:12and unlawfully transmitted sensitive personal information of private citizens and government employees,
11:22in violation of, among other Federal laws, the Privacy Act and the Administrative Procedures Act.
11:32In all of this, Donald John Trump has willfully disregarded federal laws and the Constitution,
11:47imperiled a co-equal branch of government, and threatened the integrity of the democratic system.
12:01He thereby betrayed his trust as President, abused the powers of the Presidency, acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,
12:20and has committed the high crimes and misdemeanors of obstruction of justice,
12:27and effecting a wide-ranging scheme to destroy and corrupt the legal system and the powers of the courts under Article III of the Constitution.
12:42Therefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he is unfit to govern a nation by and for the people,
12:55has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,
13:02and will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.
13:09Article II.
13:12Unsurruption of the Appropriations Power.
13:16The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment,
13:24and that the President shall be removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
13:38Further, Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution states that no money shall be drawn from the Treasury,
13:50but in consequence of appropriated appropriations made by the law.
13:57In his conduct of the Office of Presidency of the United States,
14:03and in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States,
14:12and to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,
14:21and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
14:30Donald John Trump has abused the power of the Presidency in a manner offensive to and subversive of the Constitution in that,
14:43using the powers of his high office, Donald John Trump unlawfully asserted Congress and his power to appropriate funds,
14:55thereby nullifying the appropriation clause in the Constitution and violating the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
15:09Since taking office, he has signed numerous executive orders directing agencies to withhold funds appropriated by Congress.
15:21The President does not have the power to override spending laws or impound appropriated funds,
15:30a principle affirmed by numerous Supreme Court rulings.
15:36Donald John Trump has withheld funds and terminated en masse federal employees and numerous federal agencies and departments,
15:49including the following.
15:52Number one, directed the dismantling of the Department of Education,
15:58as enacted in the Department of Education.
16:04from South Carolina, seek recognition.
16:06Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Michigan was recognized for one minute.
16:10He has substantially exceeded one minute with absurdities.
16:14Actually, the gentleman at this point had spoken for one minute,
16:18then was recognized subsequently to give notice under Rule 9 for a resolution.
16:22So the gentleman has the floor for that purpose.
16:25Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
16:26The gentleman from Michigan may continue.
16:30Signed into law by President Jimmy Carter,
16:33the Department of Education was established by Congress to create reform in the education system throughout the country
16:41and distribute federal aid to students and places of learning and prohibit discriminatory practices.
16:52The president does not have the authority to dismantle the Department of Education.
16:58And he signed of executive orders 14 to 42,
17:04which aims to improving education outcomes by empowering parents, states and communities violates the law and the Constitution.
17:19Two, unlawfully directed the elimination of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID,
17:28as enacted in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
17:35Signed into law by President John F. Kennedy, USAID plays a crucial role in delivering foreign assistance worldwide,
17:47including disaster relief, conflict relief, combating global diseases, promoting educational programs,
17:55and enhancing food security in developing countries.
18:00By dismantling USAID and freezing foreign assistance, he has severed the United States from its humanitarian role,
18:11as directed by Congress, leaving other countries and potentially our adversaries to fill in the role the United States has abandoned.
18:22Three, created the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE,
18:28which has imposed payment holds and rescinded funds after disturbance.
18:37Donald John Trump has utilized DOGE to unlawfully block or impound appropriated funds to dozens of federal agencies,
18:48including the National Institute of Health, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
18:58By impounding congressionally appropriated funds, Donald John Trump has and DOGE have not only violated the law,
19:10but have negatively impacted the American people by cutting jobs, halting critical services,
19:19and rescinding grants for programs in defiance of the express, constitutionally abiding will of Congress.
19:32Using the powers of his high office, Donald John Trump has unlawfully withheld congressionally appropriated funds
19:45and attempted to dismantle congressionally mandated agencies by withholding funds and crippling agencies.
19:55He has prevented the federal government from performing critical duties here and abroad.
20:04He has threatened the well-being of United States citizens through the gross misconduct of his office,
20:13resulting in dire and life-threatening consequences on the world's most vulnerable populations.
20:22Wherefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he is unfit to govern a nation by and for the people,
20:37has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,
20:45and will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.
20:52Article 3. Abuse of trade powers and international aggression.
21:00The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment,
21:10and that the President shall be removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
21:25Further, Section 8 of Article 1 of the Constitution states,
21:31Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties imposed, and excises.
21:40But all duties imposed and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.
21:50In his conduct of the Office of the President of the United States,
21:55and in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States,
22:05and to the best of his abilities, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,
22:14and in violation of his constitutional duties to take care that the laws be faithfully executed,
22:24Donald John Trump has abused the powers of the presidency in a manner offensive to and subversive of the Constitution,
22:37in that, using the powers of his high office,
22:41Donald John Trump abused trade powers by imposing unjustifiable and unreasonable tariffs on foreign nations,
22:54causing a sharp decline in the United States economy and the economies of countries around the world,
23:02and declaring the false existence of a national security emergency to justify his actions.
23:12Donald John Trump's tariffs contradicted trade agreements established by his administration and other administrations,
23:23including the duty ratified and binding treaty obligations of the United States,
23:30thereby breaking international laws and norms,
23:35leading to countries around the world to enact damaging tariffs on goods and services originating from the United States.
23:45His Liberation Day scheme, which imposed 10% tariff on all countries, as well as additional tariff based on a formula for reciprocity,
24:00widely marked as a nonsensical, led to the most significant drop in the financial markets since 2020,
24:10crash triggered by COVID-19 pandemic.
24:15Additionally, Donald John Trump has threatened foreign nations with invasion,
24:21the annexation of territory and the occupation of sovereign territory through the use of military action.
24:30By doing this, he has implicated the United States and himself in violation of constitutionally binding
24:39and treaty obligations to include the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949,
24:46the General Treaty of Renunciation of War as an instrument of national policy of 1928,
24:55the Charter of the United Nations of 1945,
24:59and the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance of 1947.
25:08Donald John Trump threatened the following.
25:13Annexation of the sovereign country of Canada.
25:17Donald John Trump has negatively impacted the deep and historic relationship between the United States and Canada
25:25by stating numerous times that Canada should become the 51st state,
25:32under the threat of both economic coercion and military force.
25:37Two, unlawful and aggressive military action within Mexico to include drone strikes and the use of special operations military personnel,
25:52ostensibly against drug cartels in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country,
26:01and without any congressional authorization to use military force.
26:06Three, annexation of Greenland, an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark.
26:15Donald John Trump has continued to use hostile language aimed at taking control of Greenland,
26:23stating that the United States will go as far as we have to go to obtain control of Greenland.
26:33He has refused to rule out military action to gain control of the territory in violation of international law,
26:43and despite Denmark's long-standing alliance and friendly relations with the United States.
26:53Four, annexation of the Panama Canal, owned and controlled by Panama.
27:00During a joint session speech to Congress, Donald John Trump stated that his administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal.
27:13He has refused to rule out military or economic action against the sovereign country.
27:20Annexation of the Gaza Strip involving the forced resettlement of the Palestinian population to the surrounding countries.
27:32Donald John Trump has stated that the United States will take over the Gaza Strip and own it.
27:40His proposal of taking over the Gaza Strip and the expulsion of his population violates international law,
27:54including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
28:02would be unconstitutionally absent the approval of the United States Congress and is profoundly unserious in light of the grave humanitarian situation and ongoing armed conflict in Gaza.
28:21Using the powers of his high office, Donald John Trump has unlawfully conducted himself,
28:29bringing shame and embarrassment to the office of the Presidency and the people of the United States.
28:37He has betrayed the trust of the nation to conduct meaningful diplomatic negotiations as its chief diplomat and failed to maintain peaceful economic and defense relations with foreign countries.
28:56He has threatened the security of the United States through gross misconduct of his office, prompting hostilities towards Americans here and abroad,
29:09as well as foreign nations warning their citizens against visiting the United States, further harming the nation's economy.
29:19Wherefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he is unfit to govern a nation by and for the people,
29:32has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,
29:39and will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.
29:45Article 4, violation of First Amendment rights.
29:52The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment,
30:00and that the President shall be removed from Office of Impeachment for conviction of treason, bribery,
30:11or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
30:16Further, the First Amendment of the Constitution states Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
30:26or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridged the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peacefully to assemble,
30:41and petition the government for a redress of grievances.
30:48In his conduct of the Office of the President of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional oath,
30:55to faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and to the best of his ability to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,
31:10and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed,
31:17Donald Trump has abused the powers of the Presidency in a manner offensive to and subversive of the Constitution,
31:29in that by his orders and directions to subordinates retaliated against the law firms and attorneys who have advised or represented,
31:40or been associated with those who advise or represent litigants who displease him.
31:49in violation of the Constitution's prohibition on retaliation against individuals for engaging in First Amendment protected conduct,
32:00including the right to petition the government for redress or grievances.
32:06Specifically, he has barred attorneys at certain law firms from access to federal buildings,
32:14arbitrarily revoked security clearance without a reasonable basis,
32:20threatened to cancel federal contracts with any entity engaged the targeted attorneys and firms,
32:29and demanded pro bono services from the law firms in exchange for the discontinuation of the punitive executive orders.
32:41Additionally, Donald John Trump has engaged in a pattern of unconstitutional, unlawful, and corrupt retaliation against critics and political opponents,
32:55a fragrant violation of constitutional rights protected by the First Amendment.
33:02He has weaponized the Department of Justice and other agencies to engage in spurious investigations and harassment with no basis in law of public figures and his perceived political enemies.
33:20Since taking office, Donald John Trump has directed the Department of Justice to dismiss more than a dozen prosecutors who were involved in investigation against him after he left office in 2021.
33:39The Department of Justice has subsequently launched investigations into officials involved in prior probes against Donald John Trump,
33:50in some cases against individuals specifically named and accused in fragmentary improper executive orders.
34:00Furthermore, he has made direct and ambiguous public statements threatening media outlets, current and former office holders, and advocacy organizations.
34:15He has pursued meritless litigation, leveraged his public office for private gain, and perverted the course of justice and the integrity of the judicial system to extract tens of millions of dollars in putative settlements,
34:38effectively acting as a conduit for fragrant bribery and extortion.
34:45He has restricted the access of the Associated Press after they refused to use the name Gulf of America in their reporting and has defied court orders to seize this unconstitutional action.
35:05He has also threatened current and former members of Congress for the exercise of their legislative and oversight functions,
35:16an attack on the independence of Congress as a co-equal branch of government, as established by the Constitution's Article I Wasting Clause,
35:29and by the Constitution's Speech of Debate Clause, in addition to the First Amendment.
35:36For example, Donald John Trump has repeatedly threatened members of the House Select Committee on the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol,
35:50which investigated the attack on the Capitol that Donald John Trump investigated.
35:57Donald John Trump has sought to intimidate the members and staff of the United States House Select Committee on the January 6th attacks,
36:09stating that they should fully understand that they are subject to investigation at the highest level and expressing a desire to remove the pardons they received,
36:24stating the pardons that sleepy Joe Biden gave to the unselect committee of political thugs and many others are hereby declared void, vacant, and of no further force of effect.
36:43Donald John Trump has made it clear that he will not rest until all of his perceived political enemies are eliminated.
36:54In a speech addressing his Department of Justice subordinates, Donald John Trump further laid out his fascist vision for the Department of Justice.
37:07He has targeted watchdog organizations like the Citizens for Responsible and Ethics in Washington, calling them scumps,
37:18and independent media outlets like CNN and MSNBC labeling them as organizations that literally write 97.6% bad about me,
37:34are political arms of the Democratic Party.
37:37And in my opinion, they are really corrupt and they are illegal.
37:43What they do is illegal.
37:46He has stated that newspaper critical of him are really no different than a highly paid political operative.
37:55And it has to stop.
37:57It has to be illegal.
37:59It's influencing judges.
38:02It just cannot be legal.
38:07By these and many other actions, he has sought to outlaw dissent, opposition, and criticism of himself and his administration.
38:17This attack on the constitutional rights to the freedom of speech and of association and of the right to petition the government for redress of grievances is wholly incompatible with the rights and liberties of the people of the United States, as well as self-governing people under the rule of law.
38:44In purpose and effect, he has attempted to suppress dissent and opposition, casting a chilling effect over the public discourse and striking at the core freedoms essential to a free society and democratic elections under the Constitution.
39:05Wherefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he is unfit to govern a nation by and for the people, has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law, and will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.
39:31Article 5.
39:32Article 5.
39:33Article 5.
39:35Creation of unlawful office.
39:37The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment and that the President shall be removed from office on impeachment for a conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
39:58Further, Section 2 of Article 2 of Article 2 of the Constitution states that the President shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and councils, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States.
40:19Article 5.
40:20But the Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone in the courts of law or in the heads of departments.
40:36Article 6.
40:37In his conduct of the Office of the President of the United States and in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States and to the best of his ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
40:57Article 6.
40:58And in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, Donald John Trump has abused the powers of the Presidency in a manner offensive to subversive of the Constitution.
41:16In that, using the powers of the Constitution, in that, using the powers of his high office, Donald John Trump has, through unlawful orders and directives, created an unlawful office, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, and assigned an extensive range of unlawful powers,
41:38effectively granting this fragantly unconstitutional creation significant control over the executive branch.
41:49Donald John Trump has appointed Mr. Elon Musk as the de facto head of this contrived entity, which was not created or funded by any law, without a formal title or office.
42:06And in violation of the Constitution, these actions have been in direct violation of the Constitution requirement that principal officers of the United States must be created by law and their appointees confirmed by the Senate and that inferior officers must be created by law with their appointment vested as Congress may determine.
42:31Additionally, he has vested these powers in Mr. Musk without complying with the constitutional requirement that all officers of the United States be commissioned by the President and swear an oath of office to support the Constitution.
42:50Mr. Musk has been designated as a special government employee of the White House office in violation of the statutory authorization and restrictions of such designation.
43:05This false claim has also been used to commit violation of the ethics, disclosure, and conflict of interest laws applicable to government offices and regular employees.
43:22Contrary to the government's claim in courts, Mr. Musk has exercised de facto control over doge and through it, control over a wide range of government departments and agencies.
43:35This unmistakably reality has been repeatedly and openly stated by the Trump administration, included by Donald John Trump's own address to Congress on March 4, 2025.
43:54In this capacity, Mr. Musk and his subordinates have undertaken numerous violations of the Constitution and laws, including by one, impoundment of funds appropriated by Congress.
44:09Two, violation of privacy and security laws with respect to sensitive information systems, personally identified information and classified material.
44:22And three, termination of government employees under false pretense and in violation of civil service laws.
44:31These actions have vastly exceeded the terms of the formal executive orders purportedly to create DOGE under the direction of a U.S. DOGE service administrator.
44:46An official which remains vacant for several weeks and with the government's own attorneys claiming in court that the official head of DOGE was unknown to them.
44:59Since that time, a nominal administration has been named despite the repeated avowals from the president and his administration that Mr. Musk controls and directs DOGE.
45:14As confirmed by ample public reporting and Mr. Musk's own statements.
45:21Donald John Trump has abused the powers of his high office and breached the public trust by establishing the so-called Department of Government Efficiency and unconstitutionally placed Mr. Musk in control of this entity.
45:36Knowing provided false testimony to the court regarding the leadership of the state entity and directing the unlawful entity to implement his agenda in violation of the Constitution's objective establishing justice and fundamental rules for how the executive branch of the United States is to be structured and how persons may be appointed to public
46:06public office.
46:07Therefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he is unfit to govern a nation by and for the people, has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law, and will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.
46:33Article 6, Bribery and Corruption.
46:36The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment, and that the president shall be removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
46:55Further, Section 9 of Article 1 of the Constitution states that no person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present emoluments
47:25Donald John Trump has abused the powers of the presidency in a manner offensive to and subversive of the Constitution in that Donald John Trump has engaged
47:39in a pattern of unlawful corruption for the personal profit of himself and his associates, soliciting and accepting bribes in exchange for official actions, policy influence, and favorable treatment from the administration.
48:01In so doing, he has beyond a reasonable doubt profiteered from public office on a scale unprecedented in American history.
48:12Donald John Trump has engaged in fraudulent con artist schemes through pump and dump or rug pull tactics for cryptocurrency tokens he has created
48:26and at the same time enabled a direct conduit for bribes paid to him in exchange for official actions.
48:37Donald John Trump has also leveraged the threat of hostile government action and the corresponding offer of preferential treatment
48:47in order to extract large payments in the form of settlements for meritless and vexatious litigation he pursues in his personal capacity,
49:00thereby corrupting both the executive branch and the judiciary.
49:05To advance his end, Donald John Trump solicited and received $940 million in pro bono services from prominent law firms to help causes he personally supports.
49:20Donald John Trump has refused to divest himself or take any steps to prevent conflicts of interest in his substantial personal business ventures,
49:32creating another conduit for the payments of bribes.
49:37Donald John Trump has permitted and encouraged his subordinates to violate laws regarding ethics, disclosure, and self-dealing,
49:49and through these actions, he has enabled and encouraged corruption and graft by his relatives, associates, and political allies.
49:59Donald John Trump has, in these ways and others, solicited payments from foreign governments for corrupt purposes
50:08and in fragmented violation of the Constitution's prohibition on foreign emoluments.
50:14Whereupon, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he is unfit to govern a nation by and for the people,
50:26has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with the self-governance and the rule of law,
50:32and will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.
50:38The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment
50:49and that the President shall be removed from office on impeachment for conviction of prison, bribery,
50:58or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
51:00Further, the system of checks and balances as well as separation of powers as defined in the Constitution
51:12work to ensure that the office of the President does not become tyrannical in his conduct of the Office of the President of the United States
51:24and, to the best of his abilities, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States
51:39and, in violation of his constitutional duty, to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
51:46Donald John Trump has abused the powers of the Presidency in a manner offensive to subversive of the Constitution
51:59in that he has, by his actions and statements, sought to establish himself as tyrant, dictator, and autocrat
52:09over the people of the United States, usurping unto himself the constitutional powers of Congress, the courts, and the states,
52:21and powers litigated, illegitimate, and beyond the scope of lawful government altogether.
52:31He has claimed for himself absolute and arbitrary power, the ability to suspend laws at whim, and utterly disregarded
52:41and betrayed his oath to fulfill, faithfully execute the Office of Presidency of the United States
52:49and to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
52:55He has denied and violated the right of the people of the United States to freedom of speech and of assembly
53:05and to petition the government for redress of grievances.
53:09He has denied and violated the right of the people of the United States to due process of law and equal protection under laws,
53:19to fair, impartial, independent courts, and to legal counsel.
53:25He has sought to intimidate and coerce by means including the threat of unlawful prosecutions
53:33and by encouraging violence and threats of violence the representatives and senators in Congress.
53:41He has denied and violated the separation of powers and the Constitution's systems of checks and balances,
53:53arrogating unto himself the legislative and judicial powers, including the power of Congress to levy taxes,
54:03appropriate public funds, direct the organization of officers and agencies of the executive branch and to make laws.
54:13He has sought to intimidate, coerce, and exhort the officers of the several states, including those elected by the people thereof,
54:25and thereby sought to command the several states in violation of their sovereignty and the system of federalism established by the Constitution of the United States.
54:41He has sought to abrogate the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution by means including the issuance of an executive order
54:54that directs executive departments and agencies to withhold citizenships from certain classes of persons who are born within the United States.
55:06He has repeatedly threatened and suggested that he intends to violate the presidential term limits established by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution
55:19and adopted overtly monarchical aspirations and affectations, including by invoking and endorsing theories that he is above the law or that his personal will constitutes the law.
55:37In all of this, Donald John Trump has willfully disregarded federal laws and the Constitution,
55:49imperiled a co-equal branch of government, and threatened the integrity of the democratic system.
55:59He thereby betrayed his trust as president, abused the powers of the presidency, acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,
56:15and has committed high crimes and misdemeanors in attempting to establish himself as the lawless tyrant to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
56:28Wherefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he is unfit to govern a nation by and for the people,
56:40has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,
56:48and will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.
56:58Under Rule 9, a resolution offered from the floor by a member other than the majority leader or the minority leader as a question of the privileges of the House has immediate precedence only at a time designated by the Chair within two legislative days after the resolution is properly noticed.
57:16Pending that designation, the form of the resolution noticed by the gentleman from Michigan will appear in the record at this point.
57:24The Chair will not at this point determine whether the resolution constitutes a question of privilege.
57:30That determination will be made at the time designated for consideration of the resolution.
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