Democratic Senator Doug Jones of Alabama will vote to convict Mr. Trump on both articles of impeachment, he said in a written statement and a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday morning.
Jones is one if four senators whose vote was being closely watched. He is running for reelection in deep-red Alabama.
“In keeping with my oaths, I resolved that throughout this process I would keep an open mind and hear all of the evidence before making a final decision on the charges against the president,” he said in his written statement. “For months, I have been studying the facts of this case exhaustively. I have read thousands of pages of transcripts, watched videos of testimony, taken copious notes, reviewed history and precedents and discussed this case with colleagues, staff, and constituents, in addition to having participated in the Senate trial over the past two weeks.
“After many sleepless nights, I have reluctantly concluded that the evidence is sufficient to convict the president for both abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.”
Jones said he is “acutely aware” of the precedents the impeachment trial will set for both future presidents and Congresses, including that a “fair trial in the Senate does not include witnesses and documentary evidence.” He also said he is “deeply troubled by the partisan nature” of the proceedings.
“We must find a way to rise above the things that divide us and find the common good,” Jones said.
The Alabama Democrat said he worked to “see through the fog of partisanship” and was troubled by the arguments from Mr. Trump’s legal team. The evidence, he said, “clearly proves” the president used his office to pressure a foreign government to interfere in the 2020 presidential election and agreed his actions were an abuse of power.
Jones conceded the second article, obstruction of Congress, gave him pause, but said he believes Mr. Trump “deliberately and unconstitutionally obstructed Congress by refusing to cooperate” with the House’s investigation.”
“This has been a divisive time for our country, but I think it has nonetheless been an important constitutional process for us to follow,” he said. “As this chapter of history draws to a close, one thing is clear: our country deserves better than this. We must find a way to come together, to set aside partisan differences, and to focus on what we have in common as Americans. We are facing great challenges both domestically and internationally, but it remains my firm belief that united, we can conquer them and remain the greatest hope for people around the world.”
