For Immediate Release: February 5, 2020
Contact: Lee Morrow, [email protected], 202-601-7871
Catholic Lobby Condemns Impeachment Cover Up
Sr. Simone: “This wasn’t a trial. It was an indictment of Republican Leadership.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice condemns the acquittal of President Donald Trump in a Senate impeachment trial without witnesses. This injustice is a sad moment for our nation and an indication we need to elect new leadership in 2020.
The House impeachment investigation’s findings proved that President Trump violated Title 52 Sec. 30121 of the U.S. Code by seeking Ukrainian support for his presidential campaign. In response, Senate Republicans refused to address this proof and barred witnesses from presenting new evidence of President Trump’s crimes.
Instead of doing their constitutional duty, Republican Senators chose to cover up President Trump’s high crimes. Now, the job of protecting our democracy shifts to our nation’s voters. NETWORK members will mobilize in 2020 to end the national crisis President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell created.
Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:
“The ‘acquittal’ of President Trump’s high crimes is meaningless. Senate Republican Leadership did not hold a real trial. Senator McConnell allowed opening and closing statements, but refused to call witnesses or admit evidence. This wasn’t a trial. It was an indictment of Republican Leadership who did exactly as they promised. They colluded with the White House to hide the truth from the American people. Senator McConnell’s cover up is a stain on our democracy and the Constitution.
“I can see the cracks in our nation’s foundational values growing wider by the day. This is a spiritual crisis. When the impeachment process began, I prayed ‘Come Holy Spirit – shed the light of truth on our nation, and free us from fear. ‘ But our leaders turned from their duty.
“President Trump committed high crimes against the United States for his own personal gain. Republican Senate Leadership covered up those crimes. We cannot allow this abasement of our democracy to continue.
“We urge every voter to hear this truth: The task of protecting our democracy now shifts to We the People. The faithful way forward is to elect new leadership. The truth will set us free.”
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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a nearly 50-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org