Pelosi: Trump is Presumed Guilty Unless He Proves He is Innocent
Democratic House speaker scraps presumption of innocence for president's impeachment
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Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has scrapped the presumption of innocence for President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry proceedings.
Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) has suggested that President Trump will be presumed guilty until he can prove he is innocent.
Pelosi's calls are a direct contradiction to the U.S. criminal justice system, which is based on the presumption of innocence.
California Democrat Pelosi made the startling remarks to CBS News’ Margaret Brennan during an appearance on “Face The Nation” on Sunday while discussing the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
Pelosi made similar remarks last week while responding to a reporter’s question about the public believing that Democrats are “dead set” on impeaching Trump without looking at all the facts.
Responding to the question, with comments that run counter to the just society of every state in the free world, Pelosi said the president must show evidence to prove his innocence.
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“It’s called an inquiry,” Pelosi said on Thursday.
“And if the president has something that is exculpatory, Mr. President, that means you have anything that shows your innocence, then he should make that known and that’s part of the inquiry.
"And so far, we haven’t seen that, but we welcome it. And that’s what an inquiry’s about.”
Pelosi then repeated that sentiment on Sunday in response to Brennan asking her, “Do you think you’ll go through all of this and not vote to impeach the President?”
“That remains – the facts, if the President has information that demonstrates his innocence in all of this, which we haven’t seen,” Pelosi responded.
“His transcript of a phone call is tucked away in a highly sensitive, compartmentalized intelligence server so we can’t see that.
"If he has information that is exculpatory, that means ex, taking away, culpa, blame, then we look forward to seeing it.”
WATCH:
WATCH: Nancy Pelosi shreds the Constitution.
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) November 17, 2019
She says @realDonaldTrump has to demonstrate his innocence.
That’s patently un-American.
In America, there is a presumption of innocence but Democrats don’t care. #StopTheMadness pic.twitter.com/CO5piZgU4W
Republican Rapid Response Director Steve Guest described Pelosi's comments as "patently un-American" on Twitter.
"In America, there is a presumption of innocence but Democrats don’t care," he added.
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Partial transcript from Pelosi’s interview on CBS News’ “Face The Nation”:
MARGARET BRENNAN: "When you tweeted today, you said Ambassador Yovanovitch was viciously smeared by Trump allies, removed from her post and then threatened by the President. What part of that amounts to an impeachable offense or a crime?"
NANCY PELOSI: "Well, there are many things that the President does that are completely out of the question that are not impeachable. And they’re about the election. But when it comes to violating the Constitution of the United States, as he undermines our national security, jeopardizes the integrity of our elections, dishonors his own oath of office, that’s about impeachment."
BRENNAN: "So the Constitution defines an impeachable offense as treason, bribery or high crimes and misdemeanors."
PELOSI: "Yes."
BRENNAN: "What do you think applies to this case?"
PELOSI: "We are unfolding the facts. That’s what an inquiry is about."
BRENNAN: "You use the term bribery."
PELOSI: "Yeah, I was translating from the Latin. That – that was in the context of E Pluribus Unum. From many, one. And so I said from many, one. Quid pro quo, bribery. Now that’s what that is. Mm-Hm."
BRENNAN: "So, but do you expect that to be one of the articles – "
PELOSI: "I have no idea. Well, there is not even a decision made to impeach the President."
BRENNAN: "Mm-Hm."
PELOSI: "This is a finding of fact, unfolding of the truth, and then a decision will be made, and that is a decision that goes beyond me."
BRENNAN: "Well, you point out factually, right, that vote has not taken place to proceed necessarily with impeachment. But do you think you’ll go through all of this and not vote to impeach the President?"
PELOSI: "That remains – the facts, if the President has information that demonstrates his innocence in all of this, which we haven’t seen. His transcript of a phone call is tucked away in a highly sensitive, compartmentalized intelligence server so we can’t see that. If he has information that is exculpatory, that means ex, taking away, culpa, blame, then we look forward to seeing it."
