Washington University students had the unique opportunity to get an inside look into D.C. politics during a question and answer session with U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay, Oct. 26.

Clay, who represents Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, spoke with students in an event sponsored by WashU College Democrats and Student Union. Clay discussed a number of issues with the students gathered, including the rising U.S. deficit, the Green New Deal, the City-County merger effort and student loan debt forgiveness.
Among the issues discussed, the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump’s actions with Ukraine was chief.

“Donald J. Trump violated his oath of office, he violated federal law, he and his enablers got caught and now they’re trying to cover it up by intimidating potential witnesses and obstructing Congress,” Clay said.

However, Clay also said it would be unlikely there will be enough Senate votes to remove Trump from office.

“Let’s face it, impeachment will not remove this president from office,” he said. “I don’t see us getting the 20 [Republican] votes needed in the Senate. But I do see us beating him in November 2020.”

Although he does not foresee the impeachment inquiry being successful, Clay expressed no concern that it would negatively affect the Democratic party.

“Some people ask me if impeaching the president will hurt our party politically in 2020, and I think the overall answer is no, especially in the race to win a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate,” Clay said. “But really, honestly, I don’t care. Impeachment is not about the next election, it’s about defending the constitution and protecting our democracy.”

On the current state of the Democratic party, Clay remarked that infighting between Democratic members of Congress is counterproductive and dangerous.

“It doesn’t help us as a nation to be fractured as a party,” Clay said. “If we have these… frictions within our party, we will deteriorate in a quick fashion.”
Clay also noted the importance of the entire party supporting the eventual Democratic presidential nominee in the upcoming election.

“It is going to take… the ability to evaluate them all and then to eventually get to the point where when the nominating process is over, we get behind the eventual nominee,” Clay said. “I’m ready to do that, I don’t care who it is. I do want Kamala (Harris), because I’ve endorsed Kamala. And hopefully those nominees will realize that too.”

Student Union president junior Tyrin Truong, who worked as an intern for Clay on Capitol Hill three times, said, “His passion for serving and uplifting others always shows. He’s shown me the ropes and what it means to be a true public servant, and for that I am forever grateful.”

Truong said he agrees with Clay’s stance on impeachment, as he recognizes the significant challenge of convincing the necessary amount of Republican senators.

“I share that sentiment, like right now the Hill is really polarized,” Truong said. “So it will be a miracle to get 20 votes from the other side of the aisle, to actually remove Trump from office.”

Arik Wolk, the president of WashU College Democrats, said he was pleased with the event’s proceedings and impressed by Clay’s candor.

“I thought he spoke on a wide variety of issues, which is nice,” Wolk said. “It was interesting to see a candid take from our congressman. I was surprised when he said he thinks [Trump] isn’t going to be removed from office from the Senate. That was an interesting thing to admit. I agree, but not something you hear often from House Democrats these days.”

At the end of his remarks, Clay noted the importance of the American youth— just like the students to whom he was speaking— engaging in the political process.

“We need every young voter to get up, show up and stand up for the rule of law,” Clay said. “I’m here to tell you we need your vote, we need your voice and we need your determination to fight for what we know is right, to not only keep our republic, but to help transform it into a more perfect union which we are still striving for.”