South West Illinois News

 Illinois state Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) argues that Democrats who voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump can be seen in one context only.

“[Wednesday’s] impeachment vote is a new low in our politics,” Bryant posted on Facebook last week. “The 'evidence' supporting the first article of impeachment was supported by hearsay witnesses put forward to back up the claims of dishonest politicians like Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff and Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler.”

In a vote that was almost entirely along party lines, lawmakers formally impeached Trump on the articles of abuse of power and obstructing Congress, with local U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville), Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) and Dan Lipinski (D-Western Springs) all casting their votes in favor of impeachment.  

U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Moline)

“To call [Wednesday's] impeachment vote a shame would be to diminish the word,” Bryant said. “By her own admission, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) has been working on impeaching the president for two-and-a-half years. Radical leftists in Congress have led one witch hunt after another, starting with the Mueller special counsel investigation and culminating in [Wednesday's] partisan vote to impeach the president.”

Bryant says she finds solace in her expectation that the Senate will reject the articles and absolve Trump of all allegations.  

“I am confident that the U.S. Senate will reject this fraud on our republic and President Trump will indeed remain in office,” she said. “While the record-setting American economy remains on fire, President Trump’s presidential campaign rivals are calling for the socialization of America. America will never be a socialist country, and I truly believe the will of the people of the United States will bear out a total rejection of the fraud wrought on our country by [Wednesday’s] impeachment by Nancy Pelosi and the radical left. I look forward to President Trump’s reelection."