* I know I’m coming a bit late to this, but we were slightly busy yesterday with actual Illinois news. Anyway, I searched my email in-box for the word “impeach” and here’s what I found. Gov. Pritzker…

For the first time in United States history, a sitting President has been impeached on two separate occasions by the House of Representatives – a testament to the resiliency of our Constitution, but an ugly stain on our nation’s history,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Make no mistake: to hold accountable those who smear our democracy, who unleash violence and death upon the halls of Congress, who dance on the desks of duly elected public servants in the name of insurrection – and yes, those who incite it all from inside the world’s most powerful office – is the most patriotic thing we can do.

We cannot rebuild without ridding ourselves of what’s rotten. We cannot hope to unify without upholding the ideals of justice, democracy and liberty that tie us together as one nation. Today, Republicans joined with Democrats to send that message.

The events of January 6th, 2021 – and the weeks’, months’ and years’ worth of falsities and fantasies that led up to them – represented a culmination of Donald J. Trump’s longstanding efforts to channel hate and demagoguery into power. As a proud American, I have long feared the repercussions of these efforts, and the choice of the national Republican party to embrace them and its media ecosystem to amplify them. He has long posed a danger to our nation – and last week, the world watched in horror as his name was carried on flags – alongside the flag of our nation’s most infamous traitors, the Confederacy – in a siege on our Capitol. And I believe fully that we would be remiss to assume the threat of such efforts lies behind us.

But today, amid sorrow, amid worry, amid the bruising impact of a pandemic on pace to soon take over 400,000 American lives: I am hopeful. By impeaching President Trump on the charge of Incitement of Insurrection, the House of Representatives has taken a necessary step toward holding accountable a president whose very hallmark has been the derision of our democracy. In the constant pursuit of our nation’s finest ideals, the promise of a more perfect union lives another day. Our work to secure it continues, and I urge the Senate to take up its duty immediately.

* Lt. Gov. Stratton…

Crimes against a nation. Transgressions against the American spirit. Today for the second time, members of Congress impeached President Trump who is a clear and present danger to American democracy. He instigated a riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 that resulted in death and chaos on a day that will go down as one of the darkest in U.S. history.

Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.’ President Trump has used his seat of power to inspire violence and divide this great country. He has failed the test of character and the American people. Today’s action by Congress upholds the principles and values of our nation and holds President Trump accountable for his actions.

* Sen. Duckworth…

Now that the House of Representatives has impeached Donald Trump, the Senate must act immediately to start the trial to convict and remove this dangerous man from office. We must make it clear that there are consequences for inciting violence and fomenting insurrection.

* US Rep. Kelly…

The President’s actions amount to treason. Donald Trump will go down in history as the only president in history to be impeached twice. He has brought eternal shame upon himself and disgraced the office of the Presidency. He incited a deadly insurrection against the American government to stop the peaceful transfer of power. Today, truth has triumphed over the blatant lies of this president and his enablers who sought to delegitimize a free and fair election. I am proud to have voted to expel this president from office. He is a clear and present danger to our nation. Only impeachment and conviction will stop him from inflicting further damage to our democracy.

* US Rep. Foster…

“I voted to impeach Donald Trump because he incited a violent insurrection against Congress in an attempt to disrupt Constitutionally mandated procedures to confirm the results of a free and fair election. If this isn’t an impeachable offense, then nothing is.

“He is unstable, dangerous, and unfit to be President. I urge the Senate to convict and permanently remove him from office.”

Text of the Article of Impeachment is available here.

* US Rep. Casten…

“For over two months, Donald Trump has used the powers of the presidency to wage a viral disinformation campaign to denigrate American democracy and overturn the results of an election he undisputedly lost. After 61 defeats in court, the President incited, abetted, and refused to call off a violent insurrection in the U.S. Capitol. As a result, six Americans are dead, dozens are wounded, and millions continue to be traumatized by images of domestic terrorists storming through the halls of Congress carrying Confederate flags, brutally attacking Capitol Police, and hunting for lawmakers to take hostage or worse. Every day, we find out more about this horrific attack, the additional lives that would have been in peril if not for the heroism of officers like Eugene Goodman, and the failure of this administration to expeditiously dispatch Federal law enforcement to respond to armed domestic terrorists mere months after Federal law enforcement’s violent use of force against peaceful protesters.

“When I took the oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, I never thought I would live to see our President foment an insurrectionist coup on our nation’s Capitol, let alone intentionally delay sending the National Guard to protect thousands against a mob that planted pipe bombs, brandished weapons, and sought to hang the Vice President. One week later, the President has expressed no regret or accountability. The President is unstable, unhinged, and dangerous. Every minute that President Trump is in office represents an imminent threat to the constitution, our democracy, and the American people. We are a nation of laws, and the President must be held to account for his crimes, immediately removed from office, and banned from holding federal office again.

“Many will argue that letting the clock run out on this administration will do more to heal our country than impeachment. This could not be further from the truth. If we ignore this attack and what caused it in the name of unity, the violence will only get worse. If we allow the President of the United States to incite this attack without consequence, we threaten the future of our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power on which it depends.

“When Benjamin Franklin was asked in 1787 what kind of government we would have, he answered, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.’ Two and a half centuries later, the future of our democratic republic hangs in the balance. If we do what is difficult but necessary, the nation will survive this crisis and emerge stronger. The question is, are we still a democracy? Let us answer in the affirmative. Today and always.”

* US Rep. Rodney Davis…

“We are at a perilous moment in our Nation’s history. President Trump, many of his allies in Congress, and media commentators on the right deserve blame for the circumstances that led up to one of the worst days this great country has ever seen. Since November, many in my party perpetuated the lie that the election was “stolen” and gave false hope to millions that the president could somehow remain in office after January 20th. That was never going to happen. There must be accountability for leaders who deliberately misled the public, but I fear that without thoughtful and clear-eyed leadership from both sides of the aisle, we are in danger of further violence and political unrest.

“While a convenient talking point, we must be honest that our country did not arrive at this moment in the last two months, or simply the last four years. Though many prefer not to admit it, political deception is a bipartisan disease that seems only to worsen and lead to violence. Last Wednesday is the second time in my short Congressional career that I’ve needed to thank law enforcement for saving my life during an act of political violence. The former because a deranged gunman believed leaders and agitators on the left that I and my Republican colleagues were a danger to America. We as a country have got to do better.

“There must be a full accounting of what happened leading up to and on the day of January 6th. Law enforcement must have all resources necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice. That investigation should be unimpeded and free from partisan influence. The investigation should be conducted in such a manner to sooth tensions and provide the public with confidence that law and order will prevail.

“Process matters. A snap impeachment conducted without a full investigation or without due process for the president accomplishes nothing. At a time when political tensions are at an all-time high, impeachment will drive people further into their corners and could lead to additional violence. Unlike what some Democratic leaders are saying, President Trump will not be removed from office under this process. The Democrats’ stated goal to punish the president and bar him from seeking federal office in the future certainly isn’t urgent. He will be removed from office under the law in less than one week. We need to lower temperatures, not enflame them. If, when a full accounting of the facts of January 6th comes in, Pelosi and the Democrats wish to punish President Trump, they can pursue that process with their party’s total control of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government.

“Our nation needs sober-minded leaders who will sooth a wounded electorate. President-elect Biden has missed an opportunity to act on his promise of unifying the country by calling for calm and pledging to listen to those who feel so ignored by our elected leaders. He is now the face of his party and will be the legitimately elected leader of our country in a matter days. I stand ready to work with President-elect Biden on solutions to the many problems our country faces. We should all wish President Biden success, for when he succeeds, our nation succeeds.”

* US Rep. LaHood…

“In less than seven days, we will inaugurate President-elect Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. We should be using this time to bring our nation together, heal the partisan divisions, and move forward with a peaceful transfer of power. As I have listened to constituents on both sides of the political spectrum this week, a common frustration and anger are evident among many Americans. In this moment of escalating tensions, Congress must rise above the division and help heal our nation.

“As I stated last week, our Constitution is clear in laying out Congress’ obligation to count and certify the Electoral College votes. I also believe our Constitution does not envision impeaching a President without an adequate investigation or hearings. Our democratic system is predicated on due process and a thorough review of the underlying facts and evidence. Congress has yet to even receive a full briefing by the appropriate federal authorities on the events that occurred surrounding the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.

“I oppose impeachment. Pushing articles of impeachment days before the inauguration will only inflame and further divide our country.”

Take at least two deep breaths before commenting, please. Thanks.

…Adding… Comptroller Mendoza…

I commend the Democratic and Republican members of Congress who voted to impeach President Trump for launching the attack on our Capitol and the shameful insurrection that threatened our democracy. Republican Rep. Liz Cheney’s words that “There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution” should be on the minds of all Republican senators as they vote. Removing Trump from office should be the easiest vote they ever take. No one, including the president, should be above the law. He must be held accountable.