Today’s the one year anniversary of the Illinois Senate vote to impeach and remove then Governor Rod Blagojevich from office.
At the time, Blagojevich had already been arrested and accused of trying to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. Here’s Impeachment Prosecutor David Ellis before the Illinois Senate.
ELLIS: The evidence showed that throughout his tenure as governor, the Governor has abused the power of his office.
Blagojevich gave his defense saying he couldn’t admit to something he didn’t do.
BLAGOJEVICH: I want to apologize to you for what happened. But I can’t because I didn’t do anything wrong.
The Senate unanimously voted to impeach and remove him from office. Later, Blagojevich responded from the front yard of his Chicago home.
BLAGOJEVICH: I love the people of Illinois today more than I ever did before.
(woman) Love you, too.
BLAGOJEVICH: Thank you. And the fight goes on. Just because I’m not governor anymore doesn’t mean I’m not going to keep fighting for you and the causes that I fought for my whole life.
Blagojevich’s criminal trial is scheduled to begin later this year.