June 20, 2019

Casten Supports Opening Impeachment Inquiry into the President of the United States

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) issued the following statement today regarding his support for opening an impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States.

Casten said, "I didn't run for Congress to impeach the President – any President, I ran to fight climate change, push for commonsense gun reform, uphold women's right to choose, and strengthen our economy.

But I also ran for office because I felt the people of my District deserved transparency from their elected representative.

That's why, after much thought and careful deliberation, I support opening an impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States. I do not make this decision lightly. I do not relish the idea of pursuing an impeachment inquiry. I understand the serious implications. But when our President displays blatant disregard for the law and undermines the fundamentals of our democratic institutions, it's in our duty to use all of the tools at our disposal to uncover the whole truth for the American people.

I have read the Special Counsel's report in its entirety; the findings are alarming. The Mueller Report raises serious questions about Russian interference in our elections and the integrity of the White House. Over two years into his presidency, we still do not know whether the President of the United States is beholden to foreign powers. This is a threat to our Republic. And I struggle with the fact he may have instructed others to lie for him, tried to intimidate witnesses, and cover the truth from the American people.

We must take this seriously. We must put aside partisanship and focus on the common cause of our nation's future. That's what the people of this District deserve. We cannot allow this Administration to continue to divide us – or to stand idly by letting foreign interests do so. What was true when our country was founded must still be true today. No one is above the rule of law.

That is why this inquiry is so important. Mueller made clear that he could not take action against a sitting President due to rules of the Office of the Legal Counsel, but he also made clear that the next step in the process could be for Congress to hold hearings and demand accountability from the President. I will not prejudge the outcome of any inquiry. As a scientist and a businessman, I believe we must follow the facts to make informed decisions; an inquiry affords that transparency, so long as we do not presume its outcome. I hope the worst of my concerns prove not to be true. But we must have the facts.

I do not celebrate this moment but neither do I shirk from this responsibility; the truth must prevail."