Despite House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s insistence that impeachment was a “somber” and "sad" event, her signing of the articles of impeachment Wednesday showed how serious she was about her past claims.
As Beth reported, even CNN commentators called her out over the optics of her smiling, taking photographs, and handing out pens delivered on silver platters.
Nancy Pelosi’s souvenir pens served up on silver platters to sign the sham articles of impeachment...She was so somber as she gave them away to people like prizes. https://t.co/RMOiNeoMu0
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) January 15, 2020
"I thought that was a little jarring and certainly, I think, off message," said CNN’s senior political reporter Nia-Malika.
Republican lawmakers agreed.
Rep. Jody Hice said the speaker's "'engrossment ceremony' proves that she cares more about politics than truth."
-Glee
— Rep. Jody Hice (@CongressmanHice) January 16, 2020
-Laughter
-Pictures
-Souvenir pens
-A Ceremony
This is how “serious, sad, and somber” Democrats are when sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
Pelosi’s 'engrossment ceremony' proves that she cares more about politics than truth.@POTUS will be acquitted. https://t.co/P5lVxFTyjq
Rep. Steve Scalise commented that Democrats' behavior on Wednesday was "unbelievable."
So much for “somber” and “solemn.”
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) January 15, 2020
House Dems are so excited about impeachment that they’re passing out commemorative pens and grinning for photos at a celebration ceremony.
Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/GQUfG8VZQi
Rep. Mark Meadows said "you can't make up" what happened Wednesday during the signing.
They claim it's a somber, serious occasion they're heartbroken over... and then they pass out impeachment-signing pens with special cases. Folks. You can't make it up. https://t.co/jl9VKD8cUc
— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) January 15, 2020
And Rep. Paul Gosar characterized it as another "made for TV moment at the expense of our Country."
This is neither a “somber” nor is it a “serious” process for House Democrats it’s just another made for TV moment at the expense of our Country.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 15, 2020
pic.twitter.com/K3O3LWv0AB
But Sen. Ted Cruz had the best response, joking that crayons would've been more appropriate for Pelosi to use.
Given the circus in the House, I’m surprised she didn’t use crayons. ?? ?? ?? https://t.co/hGTIGvb2Ey
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 16, 2020
Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, Cruz said the silver lining is that "Pelosi's circus is done" and now impeachment is in the Senate's hands.
"The good news is the partisan circus in the House is over. Nancy Pelosi’s circus is done. And we’re not going to see the one-sided show trial that the House has engaged in for months and months and months," he said. "That farce is over. In the Senate, here’s what I hope happens; I hope the Senate — I’m confident the Senate will conduct a fair trial. That means we’ll give the House managers an opportunity to present their case.
"We’ll listen to what they have to say; but then we’re going to do something that the House didn’t do: which is we’re going to give President Trump a full opportunity to defend himself, to present his case, to lay out the facts and evidence in law that the House ignored."
Cruz said he believes President Trump will be acquitted.
"And so we’ve moved out of Nancy Pelosi’s world," he continued. "It’s why she delayed this for so long, because she knew that once the House no longer had it, that they wouldn’t be able to put on a kangaroo court like they have, and instead we’re going to move in the Senate, where I hope and believe we’re going to follow the law, and that means we’re going to acquit the president."