The Conversation (0)
Greg Evans
Jan 22, 2020
The Trump impeachment trial got underway in Washington, DC on Tuesday but in all honesty, it was hardly the most riveting that has ever happened in the Senate.
However, we do have Hakeem Jeffries to thank for at least giving us something to talk about, and that is a quote from rap legend Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls.
In his opening statement to the Senate, Jeffries was quizzed by Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow who asked the 49-year-old Brooklyn native:
Why are we here?
Not missing the opportunity to pay tribute to the legendary rapper, Jeffries delivered an eloquent and thoughtful response to the question, plus a lyric from 1994 banger "Juicy."
We are here, Sir, because President Trump pressured a foreign government to target an American citizen for political and personal gain.
We are here, Sir, because President Trump solicited foreign interference in the 2020 election and corrupted our democracy.
We are here, Sir, because President Trump withheld $391 million in military aide from a vulnerable Ukraine without justification in a manner that has been deemed unlawful.Â
We are here, Sir, because President Donald Trump elevated his personal and political interests and subordinated the national security interests of the United States of America.
We are here, Sir, because President Trump, corruptly abused his power and then he tried to cover it up and we are here, Sir, to follow the facts apply the law, be guided by the constitution and present the truth to the American people.Â
That is why we are here, Mr Sekulow and if you don't know, now you know.Â
Here is the full song, just for the hell of it.
This is hardly the first time that Jeffries has acknowledged Biggie in a speech. In 2017 he marked the 20th anniversary of the rapper's death with a tribute to him on the Congress floor.
Jeffries' latest tribute as well as the rebuttal has been viewed more 66,000 times and people are fully here for it.