Tom Malinowski: “In America, when we call the fire department or enroll our children in school, we do not expect a government official to…”

“In America, when we call the fire department or enroll our children in school, we do not expect a government official to say to us: ``I need you to do us a favor, though.'' Why would we tolerate a President using his awesome power to make foreign policy, when the safety of our country is at stake, not for the people, but for himself? I will vote to impeach today because President Trump did just that when he shook down a foreign country to criminally investigate his political rival. If we fail to say that this was wrong, then any President will be free to ask a foreign power--be it Russia, China, or Iran--to help him hurt his political enemies at home, and every foreign tyrant and kleptocrat will know that America's foreign policy can be bought by doing our President a political favor. If you believe that our highest duty is to protect America, then search your conscience and ask: Do you want our future Presidents to behave as this one has done? Do not whisper in the shadows of the Capitol that you disapprove and then defend that conduct here today. Do your duty. Keep your oath. Defend your country, as will I.”