“Are we a nation of laws? Or are we a nation of men? Or more specifically, one man, above accountability and beyond reproach. Because make no mistake, we cannot be both.”
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor condemning President Donald Trump’s pardoning of January 6th insurrectionists.
Watch Schiff’s full remarks HERE. Download remarks HERE.
Key Excerpts:
On the true definition of liberty and justice:
[…] We must draw a line here, and we must draw a line now. The vice president argued that these pardons are about “liberty.” They are not. I ask you, what does liberty look like to the police officer who was beaten with a pole that once held the flag he was sworn to defend? What does liberty look like to the congressional staff who barricaded themselves in their offices, listening to the chaos outside? What does liberty look like to the families of those who died as a result of the violence that day?
Liberty and justice don’t come from pardoning the perpetrators of violence. It comes from ensuring that violence is not repeated, condoned, absolved. The question before us is simple. One that our founders answered correctly – and that today we must answer again. Are we a nation of laws? Or are we a nation of men? Or more specifically, one man, above accountability and beyond reproach. Because make no mistake, we cannot be both.
On the diminishing of our democracy:
[…] We have seen what happens when democracies falter – when leaders resort to violence, and when those who are meant to stop them lose their will. When those who defy the rule of law are exalted instead of prosecuted. History is littered with the wreckage of nations whose leaders decided that violence for them was more important than justice, more important than the law, more important than the people. And sadly, these pardons are not the last action the president will take to bend and subvert the rule of law to his will. Already, we’ve seen this president and his Justice Department fire those who led a completely justified investigation into him, which led to indictments that allowed him to proceed to a jury, which likely would have led to his conviction.
We’ve seen his Justice Department announce an investigation into the investigators and those who prosecuted important cases against January 6th violent criminals. We’ve seen this Justice Department, his Justice Department reassign those who were viewed as not loyal enough. And we will see a lot more before the week, the month and the year are out. Much more. And if we are to remain a democracy, we had better see much more done to stop it. In this body, in this vital check on the power of the executive.
On the dangerous precedent set by the January 6th pardons:
[…] Eight days ago, President Trump pardoned over 1,500 people who assaulted this Capitol, brutalized police officers, and sought to overthrow a free and fair election. Among them were the ringleaders of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers – violent, unrepentant white nationalists who orchestrated an insurrection. Some who were convicted of seditious conspiracy. Others of beating police officers. Of dragging them into a mob. Of bear-spraying them. Or crushing them in a revolving door. Horrifying, sickening stuff. And with the flick of a wrist, their benefactor, their inspiration, Donald Trump, erased their crimes and handed them something unthinkable in a democratic society. Absolution in the form of pardons and clemency. This was not mercy. That was madness.
Read the transcript of his remarks as delivered below:
Eight days ago, democracy and the rule of law were dealt another blow. It wasn’t at the hands of a mob this time. No bear spray. No battering rams. No chants of “Hang Mike Pence” or “Where’s Nancy?” echoing through these halls. This time, when the blow came, it made barely a sound. No screaming rioters in military garb and viking helmets, only a president in a suit and tie, with the demur flourish of a pen.
Eight days ago, President Trump pardoned over 1,500 people who assaulted this Capitol, brutalized police officers, and sought to overthrow a free and fair election. Among them were the ringleaders of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers – violent, unrepentant white nationalists who orchestrated an insurrection. Some who were convicted of seditious conspiracy. Others of beating police officers. Of dragging them into a mob. Of bear-spraying them. Of crushing them in a revolving door. Horrifying, sickening stuff. And with the flick of a wrist, their benefactor, their inspiration, Donald Trump, erased their crimes and handed them something unthinkable in a democratic society. Absolution in the form of pardons and clemency. This was not mercy. That was madness.
Fifteen hundred and fifty pardons. Fifteen hundred and fifty acts of absolution for those who committed violence against our constitution and against those who swore to defend it. Fifteen hundred and fifty “get out of jail free” cards handed to individuals who tried to overturn a free and fair election. And make no mistake, these pardons were a promise. A promise that if you commit violence in Donald Trump’s name, you’ll be protected, you’ll be hailed, even glorified for your violence. A promise that no matter how egregious your actions on behalf of this president may be, accountability will not find you. A promise that America will now have to live with the fear that January 6th may not be the last of the violence in service of this president.
Mr. President, Senator Kaine was saying, we have seen what happens when democracies falter – when leaders resort to violence, and when those who are meant to stop them lose their will. When those who defy the rule of law are exalted instead of prosecuted. History is littered with the wreckage of nations whose leaders decided that violence for them was more important than justice, more important than the law, more important than the people. And sadly, these pardons are not the last action the president will take to bend and subvert the rule of law to his will. Already, we’ve seen this president and his Justice Department fire those who led a completely justified investigation into him, which led to indictments and if allowed to proceed to a jury, which likely would have led to his conviction.
We’ve seen his Justice Department announce an investigation into the investigators and those who prosecuted important cases against January 6th violent criminals. We’ve seen this Justice Department, his Justice Department, reassign those who were viewed as not loyal enough. And we will see a lot more before the week, the month and the year are out. Much more. And if we are to remain a democracy, we had better see much more done to stop it. In this body, in this vital check on the power of the executive. We must see more done to stop it.
We must draw a line here, and we must draw a line now. The vice president argued that these pardons are about “liberty.” They are not. I ask you, what does liberty look like to the police officer who was beaten with a pole that once held the flag he was sworn to defend? What does liberty look like to the congressional staff who barricaded themselves in their offices, listening to the chaos outside? What does liberty look like to the families of those who died as a result of the violence that day?
Liberty and justice don’t come from pardoning the perpetrators of violence. It comes from ensuring that violence is not repeated, condoned, absolved. The question before us is simple. One that our founders answered correctly – and that today we must answer again. Are we a nation of laws? Or are we a nation of men? Or more specifically, one man, above accountability and beyond reproach. Because make no mistake, we cannot be both.
What does it say if the Senate cannot and will not pass such a straightforward recognition of the law enforcement officers who protect us? Or a condemnation of the rioters who attacked them and tried to stop the peaceful transfer of power. It says that we are willing to see our cherished legacy die with a whimper, one sordid absolution after another. It is really that simple. I urge my colleagues to join me, to join us in condemning this most grotesque abuse of power. Condemn these pardons. I yield back.
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