By Mark F. Gray
Staff Writer
mgray@afro.com
Maryland’s Congressman Anthony Brown (D- 4th District) remained true to his party and joined the Democrats in the United States House of Representatives by voting to impeach President Donald J. Trump. Trump, the nation’s 45th Commander In Chief, became just the third President to be handed articles of impeachment on Dec. 18.
Brown, whose constituents are primarily Black and comprise a large portion of central Prince George’s County, represents a strongly blue state municipality that traditionally has personified Maryland’s allegiance to the Democratic party. With no political capital to lose, Brown addressed the House of Representative to present his argument to support both articles of impeachment against Trump preceding the vote.
Maryland Congressman Anthony Brown (D-4th District) supported both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, who is the third American president to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy Photos)
“We must hold President Trump accountable, or else we will be complicit in undermining our democracy, our security and our dignity,” Brown said when addressing the full House leading up to the historic vote. “His conduct demonstrates his unfitness to serve as commander-in-chief, and warrants removal from office.”
Congressman Brown, who is also Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, cited President Trump’s willingness to allow foreign governments to interfere with the nation’s elections as one the main abuses of power that he should be specifically punished for while delivering his remarks on the two articles of impeachment.
“President Trump betrayed his oath. He abused his power – the immense power of the presidency,” Brown said. “He threatened our elections, by inviting foreign interference. He chose investigating a political rival, over defending our national security. So today, we must use our power – the extraordinary power, endowed by the Constitution and entrusted by the people. The power to impeach.”
Brown also attacked the character of the president saying that he violated the sanctity of the office by not following the oath that he was sworn to uphold. The Congressman chastised Trump by saying he had to take an oath to protect the Constitution as he entered the U.S. Army during a decorated military career which he and his peers in the House don’t feel he’s doing.
“When I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army, I swore an oath to ‘support and defend the Constitution,’” Brown said. “I have done so 13 times during my 35 years of public service. That oath means everything. To serve and fight for our country. To protect and promote our values.”
“The oath I took as a Member of Congress, is the same I took as a soldier. An oath that reminds me, values matter, that duty, honor and the rule of law matter.”
The Maryland Congressman also supported the need for a “fair trial” in the United States Senate to properly consider articles of impeachment against Trump before House Democrats transmit theirs to to the other side of Congress. Brown accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Republicans of appearing to be “more interested in covering up for President Trump than pursuing the facts.”
“The American people now expect the Senate to conduct a fair trial, which requires hearing the House’s case for removing the President and seeking supplemental evidence to ascertain the truth,” Brown said. “The House should not transmit the articles of impeachment or name impeachment managers until the Senate commits to following the facts wherever they may lead.”
“The American people deserve an impeachment trial that is serious, fair and reflects the gravity of the charges against President Trump.”