October 31, 2019

Dear Senator:

With the investigation of Donald Trump going forward and more evidence of his wrongdoing emerging every day, it looks likely that the House of Representatives will vote to impeach him. When this happens, you and your colleagues must review the evidence and decide whether Trump should be removed from office.

Unfortunately, Trump's iron control over the Republican Party all but guarantees that the trial -- and the final vote to acquit or remove Trump -- will not be fair. Former Senator Jeff Flake said last month that at least 35 of his Republican colleagues would vote to remove Trump if the vote were held in private. Under current Senate rules, though, those 35 Senators will probably vote to acquit Trump -- because they are afraid of him.

The Republican Senators must be free to judge the evidence and vote according to their consciences. I therefore ask you to move to change Senate rules so the vote to acquit or remove Trump will be held in private. The voting results should be announced at once, but the disclosure of which Senators voted guilty or not guilty should be delayed until one year has passed.

In our country, the rule of law is supposed to be above partisan politics. I urge you to hold the final vote in private so that you and all your colleagues will be free to vote as the facts of the case demand. Otherwise, too many Senators will decide how to vote based only on the fear that Trump will retaliate against them if they vote against him.

Yours Sincerely,

C. Colvin