Invoking the legacy of JFK, Vice President Mike Pence is urging Senate Democrats to show "political courage" and vote to acquit President Donald Trump.
In commentary posted Thursday by The Wall Street Journal, Pence recounted the story of President Andrew Johnson's impeachment, highlighting Sen. Edmund Ross' decision to break with the Republican party and vote to acquit Johnson.
"[A]t the close of the trial on May 16, 1868, he stayed true to his convictions, opposed the passions of his own party, and voted to acquit Johnson," Pence wrote. "He faced social ostracism and physical assault. Still, he knew he was right."
Pence compared Johnson's impeachment "on dubious constitutional grounds" to that of the Democrat-led House impeachment of Trump. And he urged Democrats to do what Ross did in 1868 — saying they would be worthy of The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's annual "Profile in Courage" award.
"[T]he true profile in courage, as Kennedy understood it, would be a Senate Democrat willing to stand up and reject a partisan impeachment passed by the Democrat-controlled House," Pence wrote.
"The question naturally arises: Who, among the Senate Democrats, will stand up to the passions of their party this time? Who will stand up against 'legislative mob rule' and for the rule of law? Who will be the 2020 Profile in Courage?"
The commentary was posted the same day the House articles of impeachment against Trump were turned over to the Senate, officially opening a trial.
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