Washington’s delegation reacts to Trump’s Senate acquittal

Here’s how Washington members of Congress reacted to Saturday’s acquittal of former president Donald Trump:

“I voted today to convict former President Trump and prevent him from ever holding office again because we have to be a country run by strength and courage, not by fear; that uses votes and voices, not brute force. And I voted to convict today because I believe we must speak up for our democracy now, or we may lose it forever.”

—U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who voted to convict

“President Trump put our democracy at risk when he promulgated lies about the election, used his office to try to interfere with election officials doing their job, and failed to protect our Capitol from a mob. President Trump’s ‘process’ defense was not persuasive. A bipartisan majority of senators found him guilty, but unfortunately not a supermajority. President Trump should still be held accountable for his actions.”

—U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who voted to convict

“Despite overwhelming evidence, the majority of Senate Republicans failed to stand up for our democracy today. I am deeply disappointed they failed to uphold their constitutional duty.”

—U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, who voted to impeach

“By once again putting their one-man cult over the wellbeing of this nation, 43 Republican senators not only failed to hold Donald Trump accountable for inciting a deadly insurrection, but they failed to protect our country, our constitution, and our very democracy.

“I applaud those Republicans in the House and Senate who put country over party, making this the most bipartisan impeachment in U.S. history.”

—U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, who voted to impeach