Let us be clear: what we witnessed Wednesday in our nation’s capital was a direct assault on the democratic institutions, rule of law, and dignity of the United States of America. 

We are disappointed, disgusted, and disheartened. As so-called “patriots” stormed the Capitol building, Confederate flags in hand, the process that brings about the peaceful transfer of power on which the US is founded was interrupted. 

And yet, the worst part was that the President of the United States, the leader of the free world, encouraged his supporters to challenge the will of the people, incited outrage and riots with baseless claims and lies, and then stood quiet for hours, cowering behind his tweets as the nation reeled. 

There is no acceptable course of action at this juncture other than demanding the immediate removal of Donald Trump from the office of the Presidency. One cannot support this man after the debacle in Washington, D.C., and continue to call themselves a patriot. The President has gone far beyond the “high crimes and misdemeanors” threshold necessary for impeachment as prescribed by the Constitution. Today, regardless of political affiliation, I plead with you to stand with me, denounce Trump and his supporters’ actions, and defend the ideals and principles that define our country. 

This petition calls on Indiana’s two Senators and nine Representatives to immediately move for and support impeachment proceedings against President Donald J. Trump. Sen. Todd Young, Sen. Mike Braun, Rep. Frank Mrvan, Rep. Jackie Walorski, Rep. Jim Banks, Rep. James Baird, Rep. Victoria Spartz, Rep. Greg Pence, Rep. André Carson, Rep. Larry Bucshon, and Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, we call on you to act to protect our Constitution and the rule of law in our nation. The insurrection at the Capitol serves as a reminder that democracy is a flower on a fragile plant, and Trump is the weed choking its roots. We, as citizens of the United States of America and of the State of Indiana, will not stand for it.