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Congressman Cohen Questions Witnesses at Historic Hearing on Impeachment of President Trump

December 4, 2019

Judiciary Committee applies evidence of impeachable conduct to Constitutional standards

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, today questioned legal scholars on the Constitutional grounds for impeachment. This is the fourth time in American history that the U.S. House of Representatives has considered impeachment of a president. See Congressman Cohen's five-minute questioning of the witnesses here.

After the hearing, Congressman Cohen, who is Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, made the following statement:

"Today we heard compelling testimony about why the founders included impeachment in the Constitution and the offenses that would warrant removal from office. President Trump's conduct fulfills the founder's worst fears. The witnesses described how President Trump abused his office for personal advantage, betrayed the national interest, and corrupted the electoral process. Further we have collected extensive evidence about how the President then tried to cover up his offenses and obstruct Congressional oversight. Today's hearing has shown the American people that no one, not even the President is above the law."

Testifying at today's hearing were:

Noah Feldman, Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Harvard Law School;

Pamela S. Karlan, Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law, Stanford Law School;

Michael Gerhardt, Burton Craige Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence, University of North Carolina School of Law; and

Jonathan Turley, J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law, George Washington University Law School.

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