Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

February 13, 2021

It was nearly 2 weeks ago that Jill and I paid our respects to Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who laid in honor in the Rotunda after losing his life protecting the Capitol from a riotous, violent mob on January 6, 2021.

Today 57 Senatorsâincluding a record 7 Republicansâvoted to find former President Trump guilty for inciting that deadly insurrection on our very democracy. The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives. While the final vote did not lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute. Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a "disgraceful dereliction of duty" and "practically and morally responsible for provoking" the violence unleashed on the Capitol.

Tonight I am thinking about those who bravely stood guard that January day. I'm thinking about all those who lost their lives, all those whose lives were threatened, and all those who are still today living with terror they lived through that day. And I'm thinking of those who demonstrated the courage to protect the integrity of our democracyâDemocrats and Republicans, election officials and judges, elected representatives and poll workersâbefore and after the election.

This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must be ever vigilant. That violence and extremism has no place in America. And that each of us has a duty and responsibility as Americans, and especially as leaders, to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.

That is how we end this uncivil war and heal the very soul of our Nation. That is the task ahead. And it's a task we must undertake together. As the United States of America.

NOTE: The statement referred to Sens. Richard M. Burr, William M. Cassidy, Susan M. Collins, Lisa A. Murkowski, W. Mitt Romney, Benjamin E. Sasse, and Patrick J. Toomey.

Categories: Statements by the President : Senate impeachment trial, vote.

Names: Biden, Jill T.; Burr, Richard M.; Cassidy, William M.; Collins, Susan M.; McConnell, A. Mitchell; Murkowski, Lisa A.; Romney, W. Mitt; Sasse, Benjamin E.; Toomey, Patrick J.; Trump, Donald J.

Subjects: Congress : Bipartisanship; Congress : House of Representatives : Article of Impeachment; Congress : Senate :: Impeachment trial and verdict; Congress : Senate :: Minority leader; District of Columbia : Civil unrest and violence at U.S. Capitol; Law enforcement and crime : Law enforcement officers, service and dedication.

DCPD Number: DCPD202100142.

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