Impeachment Day: Reps. Crist, Castor to vote in favor of impeachment

U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg and Kathy Castor, D-Tampa will both vote in favor of articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump Wednesday, according to statements released by their offices. The Tampa Bay Representatives released separate statements regarding the historic vote, which is expected to pass the House of Representatives and ultimately move to the U.S. Senate early next year.

In his statement, Crist emphasized the solemn nature of the impeachment vote. “I take no joy in my decision to vote to impeach President Trump,” he said. “But given the facts presented, I’ve come to the grave conclusion that the President abused his position of power to such a degree that we have no choice but to act.”

“No President, Republican or Democratic, is above the law. No President should be allowed to leverage our national security for their personal political benefit. No President should ask foreign governments to interfere in our elections. No President should obstruct Congress’ constitutionally mandated duty to provide oversight of the Executive Branch.”

Crist went on to thank the witnesses who testified in the impeachment inquiry hearings in the House. “I want to thank the brave men and women from the State Department and National Security Council who were willing to put their careers and reputations on the line to bear witness to the misdeeds of this President and his administration. Without their courage none of this information would have come to light.”

“This is a sad, painful, and divisive situation for our nation,” he said in closing. “But impeachment is the direct result of the President’s own words and actions. And we have a duty to our Oath of Office and the Constitution to not stand silent.”

In her statement, Castor compared Trump to a monarch. “The president abused his power. He violated his oath of office. He sought to elevate himself as a dictator or a king, but we are not a monarchy,” she said. “We are the United States of America. We are a republic, a democracy where the executive doesn’t have absolute power. America was founded on a system of checks and balances.”

She went on to share a scathing rebuke of Trump’s actions. “When the president withheld military aid to vulnerable Ukraine and pressed for a personal “favor” to manufacture dirt against a political opponent, he went too far. He undermined America’s national security. He sought to sabotage our elections. He elevated his personal interests over the interests of America. Then he tried to cover up his scandalous behavior and he obstructed the investigation.

“The president violated his oath of office,” she concluded. “But I intend to uphold mine to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. I will vote to impeach President Trump.”

Crist represents Florida’s 13th Congressional District, which includes south and mid-Pinellas County. Castor represents Florida’s 14th Congressional District, which includes Tampa and a portion of Hillsborough County.

This is a developing story. Castor and Crist are expected to speak on the House floor during the impeachment debate. The House Rules committee approved six hours of impeachment debate, split evenly between Democrats and Republicans prior to the full impeachment vote. Check back with the St. Pete Catalyst for updates on their comments.