CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito said Monday she was thankful she had the opportunity to attend the annual commemoration and celebration of the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr a day before the historic impeachment trial begins in the U.S. Senate where Capito, fellow West Virginia U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and all other senators will serve as jury members.
Capito said she was inspired by the keynote address delivered by West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition Executive Director Jennifer Wells at the Charleston service.
“Listening to the legacy of Martin Luther King and unity and protections of freedoms and passion and courage–it really sort of inspires me and is a good message for me to hear. For someone who is sworn-in to put forth impartial justice,” Capito said.
Manchin was also at the service and told MetroNews he plans on entering Tuesday’s trial on the two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump with an open mind.
“I will not take a position (beforehand). I take it very seriously. I’m going to sit there and listen to everything I can. I’ve read everything I can get my hands on and I’m sure there will be more given to me. Hopefully, I can digest that and make the best decision for our country,” Manchin said.
Capito said the solemn nature of the proceedings became evident with her when she signed the log book last week after being sworn-in as member of the presidential impeachment trial jury.
“I signed a log book that’s going to be in the National Archives for the rest of the history of our country and that really brought it home to me that this is an historic event, a solemn event that our founders envisioned to protect us and I’m going to impartial,” Capito said. “The whole thing has been rather partisan to this point.”
The Trump defense team called for swift rejection of impeachment articles in legal filings Monday.
Capito said she hopes the Senate can realize what it’s doing when it comes to the history of the country.
“Impeachment was not intended to be a blunt political instrument. It was meant for protection and I’m concerned about that,” Capito said.
On the topic of whether there should be witnesses in the trial, Manchin said it may be the only way to have a fair trial.
“He was impeached on two articles but they’re saying that was unfair. How’s he going to get a fair trial if we accept what they gave us from the House side which they said was unfair? We need to start and make sure we have all the evidence and talk to the people that had firsthand knowledge, bring them in and make a decision,” Manchin said.
Capito repeated that a decision on witnesses won’t be made until after they hear opening statements and all Senators have a chance to ask questions.
Capito predicted the trial will be interesting but “a daunting challenge for each of us.”
“I hope the Senate can handle this properly which I think we can,” she said.
MetroNews reporter Jake Flatley contributed to this story.