James Hill: “this is an extraordinarily solemn occasion. We are here today to consider serious and consequential questions. On three…”

“this is an extraordinarily solemn occasion. We are here today to consider serious and consequential questions. On three occasions the President of the United States placed his left hand on a Bible, raised his right hand, and swore to an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In today's debate, even the defenders of the President accept the fact that the President violated that oath in lying in a deposition in a Federal civil rights case, before a grand jury, and his sworn testimony before the Congress. On two other occasions, the President placed one hand on a Bible, raised the other, and swore to faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and to the best of his ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. The President's conduct, lying under oath, obstructing justice, tampering with the witnesses, abusing power, in my view represents a violation of that oath as well. The fact is the President sought to undermine the civil rights of a United States citizen, denying that citizen due process of law and her rights to equal protection under the law. These are undisputed facts. If there is no consequence for the violation of an oath, then why have an oath? In violating his oath before the courts and the Congress, the President is guilty of perjury, a felony, a high crime; and in violating his oath of office, I believe the President has sacrificed his right to hold office.”