North Dakota Senators Must Fulfill Their Oath and Vote for a Fair Trial
***Statement***
North Dakota Democratic-NPL legislators routinely work across the aisle with their Republican colleagues to do the people’s business in Bismarck. North Dakotans expect our representatives in Washington, D.C. to do the same.
As jurors in the president’s impeachment trial, Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer took an oath of impartiality, a vow to abandon partisan politics and follow the truth wherever it leads. But so far, the Senate is rushing through one of the most important trials in American history without a plan to hear witness testimony directly relevant to charges against the president.
Since its founding, the Senate has held 15 impeachment trials. Each time, both sides had the opportunity to present witnesses and evidence because everyone deserves a fair trial, and no one is above the law. A North Dakota jury would promise no less.
But with the trial officially beginning today, it remains unclear if Hoeven and Cramer will entirely abandon their oath. With the trial ongoing and impending votes on the procedural rules, Senators Hoeven and Cramer have the power and the duty to protect the integrity of our democracy and of our Country. North Dakotans deserve representatives who fulfill the oaths they take. We call on Senators Cramer and Hoeven to do the right thing and vote for fairness.
