WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nikema Williams issued a statement Wednesday following the bi-partisan House vote to impeach President Donald J. Trump:

“I came to Congress to make a difference, defend our democracy and protect the rights of the American people. I never imagined that in my first week my life would be in danger due to the recklessness of a sitting President of the United States. What I experienced last week in the United States Capitol as a Member of Congress affirms what I’ve said all along: I am operating in a system that was not designed for people who look like me.  

“The Confederate flag was paraded through the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. As a Black woman from the Deep South, I know exactly what the domestic terrorists invading the Capitol were trying to convey. For this reason, I joined my colleagues in voting to impeach President Trump for incitement of an insurrection.

“Congress had a duty to hold the President accountable for inciting a riot and putting Members of Congress, their staff, and USCP Officers at risk. The loss of life was senseless and would not have happened under responsible leadership. I applaud my colleagues who put patriotism before party in this bi-partisan effort to remove the president from office before January 20th. This was a necessary vote to prevent further danger to our country as we work together to rebuild and restore our democracy.”