February 5, 2021
Washington, DC
Conservatives are emphatically opposed to the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump.
Such impeachment is absolutely unconstitutional. The Constitution’s impeachment clause is unambiguous and applies only to the President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States. Nowhere does the Constitution provide for impeachment of non-office holders, or former presidents. Additionally, the Constitution requires the Chief Justice to preside in presidential impeachments. Yet, the Chief Justice will not preside over this impeachment, making the proceedings constitutionally invalid for even an additional reason.
It is evident, however, that this effort is not about complying with the Constitution, but rather an effort to contort the process to meet a partisan political end: to bar Trump from ever seeking public office again, to de-legitimize the accomplishments of his presidency, and to publicly shame the 74 million Americans who voted for him.
While impeachment is a political process, it has throughout our history been used sparingly and soberly as a tool of last resort. Democrats, in utilizing the process not once, but twice – first, to chase later-debunked claims of election interference and now, to punish a non-office holder with baseless claims of incitement – have transformed the impeachment process from somber-minded deliberation into cheap political theater. Our politics will suffer because of it.
We urge Democrats to abandon this pointless impeachment process that will serve only to further their partisan goals, and to further divide an already deeply divided nation. And we ask every Republican senator to vote against conviction – not only because Trump’s actions fail to meet the constitutional standard of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” but to publicly stand against this overtly political stunt masquerading as a principled constitutional practice.
| The Honorable Edwin Meese III Attorney General President Ronald Reagan (1985-1988) |
Alfred S. Regnery Chairman, Conservative Action Project President, Republic Book Publishers |
| The Honorable Jim DeMint Chairman, Conservative Partnership Institute Member, US Senate (SC 2005-2013) |
Ed Corrigan Vice Chairman, Conservative Action Project President & CEO, Conservative Partnership Institute |
| The Honorable Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union (ACU) |
L. Brent Bozell, III Founder and President Media Research Center |
| Wesley Denton Chief Operating Officer Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) |
Rachel Bovard Senior Director of Policy Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) |
| The Honorable Morton C. Blackwell President The Leadership Institute |
Penny Y. Nance President & CEO Concerned Women for America |
| Jenny Beth Martin Chairman Tea Party Patriots Citizen Fund |
The Honorable Russ Vought Director Office of Management and Budget (2020-2021) |
| The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell Chairman Constitutional Congress, Inc. |
The Honorable Bob McEwen U.S. House of Representatives Former Member, Ohio |
| Kelly J. Shackelford, Esq. Chairman, CNP Action, Inc. President and CEO, First Liberty Institute |
The Honorable Becky Norton Dunlop White House Advisor President Ronald Reagan (1981-1985) |
| Myron Ebell Director, Center for Energy and Environment Competitive Enterprise Institute |
Mary Vought Executive Director Senate Conservatives Fund |
| The Honorable Colin A. Hanna President Let Freedom Ring, Inc. |
The Honorable Donald Paul Hodel U.S. Secretary of Energy (1982-1985) U.S. Secretary of Interior (1985-1989) |
| The Honorable Tony Perkins President Family Research Council |
William L. Walton President Council for National Policy |
| The Honorable David McIntosh President Club for Growth |
Scott T. Parkinson VP for Government Affairs Club for Growth |
| Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin (Ret.) Executive Vice President Family Research Council |
David N. Bossie President Citizens United |
| The Honorable George K. Rasley Jr. Managing Editor ConservativeHQ.com |
The Honorable Scott Walker President Young America’s Foundation |
| The Honorable Gary L. Bauer President American Values |
Mike Davis Founder and President Article III Project (A3P) |
| The Honorable James C. Miller III Budget Director for President Reagan, 1985-1988) |
Craig Shirley Reagan Biographer Presidential Historian |
| E.W. Jackson Sr. President Stand Foundation, Inc. |
Judson Phillips Founder Tea Party Nation |
| Karen England Executive Director Capitol Resource Institute |
Seton Motley President Less Government |
| Saulius “Saul” Anuzis President 60 Plus Association |
James L. Martin Founder/Chairman 60 Plus Association |
| Ron Pearson Executive Director Conservative Victory Fund |
Charlie Gerow Vice Chairman American Conservative Union |
| Amapola Hansberger President Legal Immigrants for America |
Dr. Richard Rounsavelle Trustee MRC |
| C. Preston Noell III President Tradition, Family, Property, Inc. |
Richard D. Hayes Partner Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, LLP |
| Jon Schweppe Director of Policy and Government Affairs American Principles Project |
Terrence Scanlon Chairman 1985-89 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Kielle C. Horton President The Lindsey Foundation |
Terry Schilling Executive Director American Principles Project |
| Martha Boneta President VAF |
Melissa Kaye Ortiz Founder & Principal Able Americans |
| Willes K Lee President National Federation of Republican Assemblies |
Rev. Frank Pavone National Director Priests for Life |
| Andresen Blom President Hawaiian Values |
Benjamin R. Case |
| Nancy Schulze Founder, President RCW Speakers |
Richard Norman Founder and President The Richard Norman Company |
| G. Eric Georgatos Executive Producer America Can We Talk? |
Rob Chambers Vice President AFA Action |
| Gerard Kassar State Chairman NYS Conservative Party |
Penna Dexter Co-host Point of View Radio |
| The Honorable Tom DeLay Former Majority Leader U.S. House of Representatives |
Kevin Freeman Founder NSIC Institute |
| Mathew Staver Founder and Chairman Liberty Counsel |
Rebecca Hagelin CEO United in Purpose |
| Mike Hill Former Member Florida State House |
Lee Beaman CEO Beaman Ventures |
| Mario Navarro da Costa Director, Washington Bureau Tradition, Family, Property |
The Honorable Peter J. Thomas Chairman The Conservative Caucus |
| Rob Gluskin Managing Partner Gluskin Investment Partners |
Elaine Donnelly President Center for Military Readiness |
| Jason Jones Founder The Vulnerable People Project |
Floyd Brown Chairman Western Center for Journalism |
| Peggy Dau Representative IranAliveMinistries |
Rick Scarborough President Recover America Now |
| Kay R. Daly President Coalition for a Fair Judiciary |
Ralph A. Rebandt, II Lead Pastor Oakland Hills Community Church |
All organizations listed for IDENTIFICATION purposes only.
